P42M worth of shabu seized at NAIA 3

Authorities seized P42.16 million worth of shabu (methamphetamine) from a South African passenger at Terminal 3 of the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA), the Bureau of Customs (BOC) said Monday.

In a statement, BOC said a South African passenger arriving from Addis Ababa, Ethiopia on Saturday, Oct. 12, was nabbed for possession of 6.2 kilograms of shabu.

The contraband was detected as it underwent rigorous screening, which included x-ray scanning, K9 inspection, and a thorough physical examination of the passenger’s luggage.

The arrested passenger and drugs were turned over to the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency for inquest proceedings in violation of the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act and the Customs Modernization and Tariff Act.

In Mark Salazar’s 24 Oras report, the passenger said he was unaware there was shabu in his bag, which he just purchased at a store in South Africa.

“I purchased the bag from a shop I didn't know there was anything in the bag. I am a big man. I didn't notice it. I did not pick it up. It’s a big bag. I was just pulling it,” the passenger said.

“Medyo mahirap tanggapin considering na anim na kilo yung nakuha natin sa kanyang bag. Ang 6 na kilo pansinin nyo naman kung ang bag walang laman imposible naman umabot lampas anim na kilo yun. Dun palang maghihinala ka na,” said Arvin Tagra, chief of PDEA public information office.

(It’s difficult to accept his excuse considering we seized 6 kilograms. It’s impossible that an empty bag weighs 6 kilograms. That’s very suspicious.)

The passenger has a tourist visa but authorities said he failed to prove his true intention of traveling to the Philippines.

“Sa ano natin turista siya sinabi nya nga lang nawala raw travel documents nya kasama contacts na kokontakin nya dito. Pati 'yun hindi malinaw sa atin,” Targa said.

(He told us he was a tourist but he lost his travel documents, including the contacts he has in the country. That is also unclear to us.)

The passenger said he had a tourist plan and accommodation booked near the sea. He also said he had documents of his accommodations but he did not know the exact place.

Investigation revealed the passenger has no criminal records.—Mariel Celine Serquiña/RF, GMA Integrated News