Three Chinese nationals were arrested after authorities seized nearly P70 million worth of suspected kush at Clark International Airport in Pampanga.

The Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) Region 3 identified the suspects as Ang See, 39; Kim Tan, 27; and Li Cheng, 30.

“Supposedly ‘yung bagahe nila hindi dapat makukuha dapat dun na sa Hong Kong kasi ang baba talaga nila is Hong Kong pero sabi nga po ng imbestigador na trace nga daw po ng BOC. Allegedly, ang sabi ng isa sa kanila, napag-utusan na lang sila na magdala ng suitcase and then they were not informed na laman daw nito ay droga,” Glenn Guillermo, PDEA-3 public information officer, said.

The Bureau of Customs at Clark discovered over 46 kilograms (46,533.3 grams) of suspected kush during a routine inspection of the suspects’ luggage. Authorities recovered 99 transparent vacuum-sealed packs containing dry leaves and fruiting tops, believed to be high-grade marijuana.

“So from Bangkok, Thailand sila galing and then Clark. There were 3 bags na na-detect po ng Bureau of Customs Clark na may laman nga pong kush,” Guillermo added.

The suspects were transit passengers from Bangkok, Thailand, bound for Hong Kong. They are currently in PDEA-3 custody for further investigation. The seized drugs will undergo forensic examination to confirm their type and grade.

The three may face charges for violating Republic Act 9165, or the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002.

The suspects have not made any statement, as of this writing.