P80M worth of smuggled gold jewelry seized at NAIA

The Bureau of Customs (BOC) has seized at least P80 million worth of smuggled gold jewelry at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA).

In a statement on Friday, the BOC said around 24 kilograms of assorted gold jewelry was hidden inside the lavatory of an aircraft that arrived from Hong Kong on November 17.

A boarding inspector from the Aircraft Operations Division discovered the jewelry pieces during boarding formalities on the airplane which arrived at NAIA Terminal 2, according to the Customs.

“Ito po ay doon sa bandang gitna ng eroplano na kung saan doon sa lavatory po at saka doon po sa ceiling, doon po natagpuan. After ng masusing pagbabaybay, pag-iinspect ng mga kahina-hinalang bagay, nai-report po sa atin,” BOC spokesperson Arnold Dela Torre said in Ian Cruz’s “24 Oras” report on Friday.

“Yung paghihinala ng mga cabin crew ay ikinandado ang dalawa sa apat na palikuran ng gitnang bahagi ng eroplano,” he said.

BOC-NAIA district collector Carmelita Talusan ordered a thorough probe to identify the people behind the smuggling attempt.

In a separate statement, Philippine Airlines said it continues to cooperate with the Philippine National Police (PNP) and BOC to ensure a thorough investigation.

“PAL Security Department had reported to the PNP Aviation Security Group NCR chief Police Colonel Cesar Gerente a tampering inside the aircraft lavatory and requested for an immediate investigation upon arrival of the aircraft in Manila,” the Philippine Airlines said.

“Upon further inspection, the PNP AVSEGROUP discovered the items and endorsed these to the BOC. PAL continues to cooperate with the PNP and the BOC to ensure an orderly and thorough probe,” it added. 

The BOC said it ensures stringent implementation of border security measures as directed by Commissioner Yogi Filemon Ruiz and in accordance with President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr.’s order to stop smuggling. —Richa Noriega/AOL/VBL, GMA Integrated News