MANILA— Three passengers arriving from Bangkok, Thailand were arrested after authorities intercepted around 18,679 grams of marijuana worth an estimated ₱18.679 million at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) Terminal 3, the Bureau of Customs (BOC) said.

The BOC-NAIA, working with the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA), discovered the suspected illegal drugs during an anti-drug operation at the Customs Arrival Area.

Customs officers initially detected suspicious images during routine baggage screening, prompting a further inspection.

The passengers were subsequently referred for a physical examination of their luggage, which resulted in the discovery of approximately 18,679 grams of marijuana concealed inside their bags.

NAIA District Collector Atty. Maria Yasmin M. Obillos-Mapa credited the interception to the coordination among Customs operating units and partner agencies.

“This successful interception reflects the vigilance and close coordination of our operating units and partner agencies. We will continue to strengthen our intelligence-based operations and work closely with our law enforcement partners to prevent illegal drugs from entering the country through our borders,” District Collector Obillos-Mapa said.

The operation involved the BOC’s Enforcement and Security Service–Customs Anti-Illegal Drug Task Force (ESS-CAIDTF), NAIA Inter-Agency Drug Interdiction Task Group (NAIA-IADITG), Customs Intelligence and Investigation Service (CIIS), X-Ray Inspection Project (XIP), PDEA-Aviation Security Group and Bureau of Immigration.

The three passengers were arrested and turned over to the PDEA for the filing of charges for alleged violation of Section 4 of Republic Act No. 9165, or the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002, on the importation of dangerous drugs, in relation to Republic Act No. 10863, or the Customs Modernization and Tariff Act.

BOC Commissioner Ariel F. Nepomuceno commended the agencies involved and said the bureau would continue strengthening intelligence-led enforcement and border protection.

“Malinaw ang direktiba ni President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.—we must remain firm in our fight against illegal drugs. Patuloy nating paiigtingin ang pagbabantay at haharangin ang anumang pagtatangkang magpasok ng ilegal na droga sa bansa,” Commissioner Nepomuceno said.