P50M worth of illegal drugs seized from foreigners at NAIA

More than P50 million worth of marijuana, kush and shabu were seized separately from the luggage of two foreigners at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA). 

According to Marisol Abdurahman's "24 Oras" report, because a suspicious image was found inside the luggage when subjected to the x-ray machine, it was subjected to field testing using the K9 unit of the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA).

"Umupo po young K9 natin. Yielding positive po yung luggage dun sa dangerous drugs po. After makita ng dry leave na image, tinawagan po yung ating PDEA, yung ating Drug Interdiction Task Group for the conduct naman po ng ating testing dun sa subjects luggage," said Police Lieutenant Colonel Gerard Medina Hernandez, chief of the NAIA Terminal 3 Police Station - PNP Aviation Security Group. 

(The K9 sat beside it. The luggage there is yielding positive for dangerous drugs. After seeing the dry leave image, we called our PDEA, our Drug Interdiction Task Group for the conduct of our testing there on the subjects luggage.)

When the luggage was opened, the authorities discovered the 14 kilos or P20 million worth of marijuana kush or cannabis which are said to be from Bangkok, brought by a Thai national.

Avsegroup said the drugs were the only contents of the passenger's luggage. 

"Sa dami po na na-intercept na illegal drugs, hindi po ata for consumption. Most probably for distribution po," said Hernandez.

(With the amount of illegal drugs that have been intercepted, they are not for consumption. This is most probably for distribution.)

Just recently, a South African was also caught with drugs in his luggage.

"Nakatago po plastic pouches natin dun sa isang hindi s’ya mismong part ng bagahe, nakatago talaga s’ya. Naka conceal talaga s’ya," said Hernandez. 

(There's plastic pouches hidden, which is not a part of the luggage, it is really hidden. It's really concealed.) 

When it was opened, a bag containing shabu was found and is said to be more than 5 kilos worth P35 million.

The PNP Avsegroup said it is possible that the foreigners who came to the country were just couriers who were caught with illegal drugs here in NAIA Terminal 3.

"Wala po syang ibang gamit. Most probably pagdistribute nya pag lapag nya dito, pagdistribute dun sa illegal drugs, ay babalik na siya sa pinanggalingan niya," said Hernandez. 

(He's not bringing anything else but drugs. It is possible that he is only a distributor who lands here, and after that, he will return to where he came from.) 

The suspects did not give any statements. 

Last week, a Taiwanese national was caught with ketamine hydrochloride in his pocket. 

The consecutive arrests of foreign nationals with illegal drugs are said to be part of the heightened vigilance of the NAIA Interagency Drug Interdiction Task Group at the airports.—Sherylin Untalan/LDF, GMA Integrated News