THREE passengers arriving from Bangkok were arrested after Customs and anti-drug authorities seized 18,679 grams of marijuana worth P18.679 million from their luggage at Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) Terminal 3.
The seizure was made during an anti-drug operation by the Bureau of Customs-NAIA (BOC-NAIA) and the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA).
The passengers had just arrived from Thailand when Customs officers detected suspicious images during routine baggage screening.
They were referred for a physical examination, which uncovered the marijuana concealed inside their luggage, according to Customs.
The three suspects were arrested and turned over to PDEA for filing charges under Section 4 of Republic Act 9165, or the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002, in relation to Republic Act 10863 (the Customs Modernization and Tariff Act).
District Collector Maria Yasmin Obillos-Mapa on Wednesday credited the seizure to sustained vigilance and coordination among Customs and its law enforcement partners.
“We will continue to strengthen our intelligence-based operations and work closely with our law enforcement partners to prevent illegal drugs from entering the country through our borders,” Obillos-Mapa said.
The operation involved the Customs Enforcement and Security Service-Customs Anti-Illegal Drug Task Force, NAIA Inter-Agency Drug Interdiction Task Group, Customs Intelligence and Investigation Service, X-Ray Inspection Project, PDEA Aviation Security Group, and Bureau of Immigration.
The latest interception adds to continuing efforts by authorities to prevent illegal drugs from entering the country through international gateways, particularly through passenger baggage and shipments.
BOC Commissioner Ariel Nepomuceno said the bureau would continue to intensify intelligence-led enforcement and border controls.
