MANILA — Four kilos of shabu. Inside a hand-carry bag. At one of the country’s busiest airport terminals.

That was the bold gamble of an Australian national who landed at NAIA Terminal 3 on February 19, 2026 — and walked straight into a full-force interdiction by the Bureau of Customs–NAIA.

The result: 4,008 grams of methamphetamine seized, with an estimated street value of ₱27,254,400.

Authorities say the illegal drugs were concealed in the passenger’s cabin baggage, allegedly intended for distribution in the country. Instead of slipping through, the suspect was intercepted, examined, and immediately placed under arrest.

No drama. No delay. Just cuffs.

The operation was carried out by BOC-NAIA in close coordination with the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) and the NAIA Inter-Agency Drug Task Group (NAIA-IADTG). Authorities ensured proper examination, documentation, and turnover of the seized contraband.

The foreign national is now facing charges for violating Republic Act No. 9165, or the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002, and is undergoing inquest and prosecution proceedings.

GATEWAY UNDER GUARD

Customs Commissioner Ariel F. Nepomuceno declared that the government’s borders are on heightened alert amid continuing efforts to block international drug syndicates from using Philippine entry points.

“We will not allow our international gateways to be exploited by drug traffickers,” Nepomuceno stressed, citing intensified intelligence operations and tighter inter-agency coordination under the directive of President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.

He emphasized that sustained enforcement efforts remain in full swing, particularly in major ports and airports where traffickers attempt to sneak in high-value narcotics through commercial travel.

“ZERO TOLERANCE” AT NAIA

At the frontline, District Collector Atty. Yasmin O. Mapa underscored NAIA’s uncompromising stance against drug smuggling.

“NAIA remains a critical gateway, and we treat every attempt to misuse it with the highest level of seriousness,” Mapa said.

She noted that Customs personnel are trained to detect even sophisticated concealment methods, using profiling, X-ray scanning, and physical inspections to intercept contraband before it reaches the streets.

Authorities described the latest bust as a major interception, preventing millions of pesos worth of illegal drugs from circulating in local communities.

CLEAR WARNING

The ₱27.25-million seizure sends a sharp message: Philippine airport authorities are tightening the net.

With four kilos of methamphetamine taken out of circulation and one suspected courier behind bars, enforcement agencies say operations will only intensify in the coming months.

At NAIA, officials made it clear — anyone attempting to smuggle drugs into the country should expect one outcome:

Immediate interception. Arrest. Prosecution.

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