MANILA, Philippines — Authorities intercepted P29.7 million worth of suspected shabu at Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) Terminal 3 in Pasay City, the Bureau of Customs (BOC) reported.

In a joint operation with the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) and the NAIA Inter-Agency Drug Interdiction Task Group, BOC-NAIA confiscated 4,368 grams of methamphetamine hydrochloride from the luggage of a passenger arriving from Malaysia on June 14.

A routine x-ray scan, K-9 sweep, and physical inspection flagged the suspicious package, which was later confirmed through chemical analysis to contain the illegal drug.

The passenger was immediately arrested and turned over to PDEA for inquest proceedings for violations of the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act (RA 9165) and the Customs Modernization and Tariff Act (RA 10863).

BOC Commissioner Bienvenido Rubio lauded the operation, saying, “This interception is a testament to our sustained vigilance and the dedication of our personnel.”

BOC-NAIA District Collector Yasmin Mapa also emphasized the agency’s commitment to the national government’s anti-drug campaign, citing the importance of inter-agency cooperation in securing the country’s borders.