P97.8M worth of shabu seized from 2 South Africans at NAIA

Around 14 kilograms of shabu worth P97,892,800 were seized at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) on Friday.

The illegal drugs were detected in the luggage of two South African nationals who arrived from Johannesburg, South Africa, with a connecting flight in Dubai.

The illegal drugs were hidden in various items including handbags, packs of potato chips and biscuits, a book compartment, and improvised pouches.

The Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) confirmed the presence of shabu through initial field tests, and the confiscated evidence was sent to their laboratory for confirmatory testing.

The suspects were instructed by a Nigerian friend to meet another Nigerian upon arrival.

Confiscated items from the suspects include cellular phones, travel documents, and identification cards.

The two South Africans were placed under the custody of PDEA and will face charges for importation of illegal drugs under the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002.

PBGen. Christopher Abecia, director of the Philippine National Police Aviation Security Group, stated that the operation demonstrates the task force's commitment to protecting borders and public safety.