Another major blow was dealt to international drug syndicates as the Bureau of Customs–NAIA intercepted more than ₱40.8 million worth of shabu at NAIA Terminal 3, proving once again that the airport is no longer an easy gateway for narcotics under the Marcos administration.

At the forefront of the crackdown: BOC Commissioner Ariel F. Nepomuceno and BOC-NAIA District Collector Atty. Yasmin O. Mapa, whose no-nonsense leadership sent a clear message—drug traffickers are not welcome on Philippine soil.

Acting on solid intelligence, Customs officers flagged an arriving passenger and subjected the luggage to full X-ray scanning and 100% physical examination. What authorities found was chilling: 6,006 grams of methamphetamine hydrochloride (shabu) expertly concealed inside baggage—drugs that could have flooded the streets and destroyed countless lives.

Instead, the shipment was stopped cold.

“This interception proves that intelligence-driven enforcement works,” Commissioner Nepomuceno declared, stressing that Customs will remain relentless. “We are shutting the doors on drug syndicates. There will be no safe passage through our ports—period.”

His words were echoed by Collector Atty. Yasmin ‘Yas’ Mapa, whose command over NAIA’s frontliners continues to yield results.

“Our officers are alert, aggressive, and committed,” Mapa said. “NAIA will never be a playground for traffickers. We will hunt them down, intercept them, and turn them over to the full force of the law.”

The suspect and seized drugs were immediately handed over to PDEA for inquest proceedings, facing charges under RA 9165 (Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act) and RA 10863 (Customs Modernization and Tariff Act)—offenses that carry life-shattering penalties.

With this latest bust, BOC-NAIA reinforces its role as a key shield of national security, backing President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.’s all-out war against illegal drugs.

Under Nepomuceno’s firm command and Mapa’s hardline airport enforcement, one thing is clear:

At NAIA, drug smugglers don’t slip through—they get caught.

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