₱138M worth of illegal drugs seized at NAIA in recent ops —AVSEGROUP

Illegal drugs worth P138 million have been seized in different operations at Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) in Pasay City from February 11 to 15, the Philippine National Police - Aviation Security Group (PNP-AVSEGROUP) said Monday.

At a press briefing, AVSEGROUP public information office chief Police Lieutenant Colonel Harold Tosino said the operations covered passenger terminal, cargo facility, and mail center.

“Sa loob na limang araw ay matagumpay na naharang ng AVSEGROUP, katuwang ang NAIA Inter-Agency Drug Interdiction Task Group, ang ilang tangkang pagpasok ng iligal droga sa pamamagitan ng mga passenger terminal, cargo facility, at mail centers,” Tosino said.

(Within five days, AVSEGROUP, in partnership with the NAIA Inter-Agency Drug Interdiction Task Group, successfully intercepted several attempts to smuggle illegal drugs through passenger terminals, cargo facilities, and mail centers.)

“Dahil dito, mahigit P138 milyon na halaga na ipinagbabawal na gamot ang napigilan makarating sa ating mga komunidad,” he added.

(As a result, more than P138 million worth of illicit drugs were prevented from reaching our communities.)

On February 11, three abandoned parcels were intercepted at the Paircargo area, containing 5.4 kilograms of shabu concealed in handbags and hot water bottles worth P36.8 million.

On February 13, four abandoned parcels were found at Central Mail Exchange Center containing 3.7 kilograms of marijuana kush hidden in vacuum-sealed packaging worth P5.6 million.

No immediate arrests from these incidents as the investigations are ongoing, according to Tosino.

On February 13, a 77-year-old German national was arrested at NAIA Terminal 3 after 8.1 kilograms of shabu worth P55.3 million was discovered inside Holy Bible books.

On February 15, a 30-year-old South African national was also arrested for 6 kilograms of shabu worth P40.8 million found in a wooden box inside a backpack.

The suspects were turned over to the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA). The seized drugs are now under the custody of the PDEA for proper disposition and destruction.

Suspects allegedly received payment but claimed not to be aware that drugs were inside the baggages, according to Tosino.

Tosino said the recent foreign suspects came from Johannesburg, South Africa via connecting flights.

Other intercepted parcels traced to Thailand, South Africa, Botswana, and Malawi. Some parcels were shipped three to six months ago.

Investigation is ongoing to identify local recipients and possible syndicate links.

According to Tosino, South African is considered a possible “red flag” source country but passengers and parcels from all countries undergo strict screening.

Authorities are coordinating with foreign counterparts in connection with the entry of illegal drugs in the Philippines. —AOL, GMA Integrated News