Jimmy Saberon
MANILA, Philippines — The Bureau of Customs at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (BOC-NAIA) intercepted ₱102 million worth of methamphetamine hydrochloride, or “shabu,” concealed inside chopping boards at NAIA Terminal 1, leading to the arrest of a Malaysian passenger.
The operation was carried out by BOC-NAIA personnel in coordination with the NAIA Inter-Agency Drug Interdiction Task Group after suspicious images were detected during routine X-ray screening of the passenger’s baggage.
Authorities then conducted a 100 percent physical examination, which led to the discovery of approximately 15,024 grams of shabu hidden inside two boxes declared as kitchen chopping boards. The illegal drugs have an estimated standard value of ₱102,163,200.
The passenger, who had arrived from Malaysia, was immediately apprehended and turned over to the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) together with the confiscated illegal substances for inquest proceedings.
Authorities said the suspect will face charges for violating Republic Act No. 9165, or the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002, and Republic Act No. 10863, or the Customs Modernization and Tariff Act.
Customs Commissioner Ariel F. Nepomuceno reaffirmed the Bureau’s intensified efforts to secure the country’s borders against the entry of illegal drugs.
He said the operation reflects the Bureau’s continued implementation of intelligence-driven enforcement and strengthened coordination with partner agencies, in line with the directive of President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. to prevent narcotics from entering the country.
Meanwhile, BOC-NAIA District Collector Atty. Yasmin O. Mapa commended the vigilance and professionalism of customs personnel and partner agencies involved in the operation.
Mapa emphasized that coordinated enforcement efforts and strict inspection protocols remain crucial in detecting increasingly sophisticated concealment methods used by drug traffickers.
The Bureau of Customs said it will continue to strengthen border protection measures and inter-agency collaboration to prevent illegal drugs from reaching Philippine communities.
