BoC seizes P112-M illegal drugs in NAIA operations

THE Bureau of Customs (BoC) on Monday said it seized more than P112 million worth of illegal drugs upon the arrest of a Malaysian national at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) Terminal 1.

“The baggage of the arrested individual was flagged by Customs personnel for inspection, which led to the discovery of the illegal drugs concealed inside his checked-in luggage,” the BoC said in a statement on Monday.

“Authorities recovered approximately 16.526 kilograms of white crystalline substance suspected to be methamphetamine hydrochloride, commonly known as shabu,” it added.

The suspect was subjected to inquest proceedings for violation of the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002.

The operation was led by the BoC through its Customs Anti-Illegal Drugs Task Force, in close coordination with the NAIA-Inter-Agency Drug Interdiction Task Group.

Customs Commissioner Ariel F. Nepomuceno said that the operation aligns with the directive of President Ferdinand R. Marcos, Jr. to intensify the campaign against illegal drugs and strengthen border protection measures. — Justine Irish D. Tabile