The Bureau of Customs (BOC), through the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA), intercepted 7,005 grams of suspected Methamphetamine Hydrochloride (shabu) during an operation at NAIA Terminal 3 on August 16, 2025.

The contraband was discovered inside a checked-in luggage belonging to a South African passenger. Initial non-intrusive inspection flagged a suspicious image, prompting a physical examination that confirmed the presence of the illegal substance.

The seized shabu, weighing 7,005 grams, has an estimated street value of ₱47.634 million. The operation was carried out in close coordination with the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) and the NAIA Inter-Agency Drug Interdiction Task Group (NAIA-IADITG).

The passenger is now facing charges for violations of Republic Act No. 9165, or the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002, and Republic Act No. 10863, or the Customs Modernization and Tariff Act (CMTA).

BOC Commissioner Ariel F. Nepomuceno lauded the joint effort, stressing the agency’s commitment to President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.’s directive to safeguard communities against the spread of illegal drugs.

“This operation reflects our firm resolve to prevent illicit substances from entering the country and to protect the public from their harmful impact,” Nepomuceno said.

District Collector Alexandra Y. Lumontad likewise underscored NAIA’s vigilance against attempts to exploit international gateways for illicit trade.

“This seizure underscores our commitment to ensuring that NAIA remains a secure entry point where public safety and the nation’s interests are always protected,” Lumontad emphasized

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