Traveler arrested at NAIA with P24M cocaine

A 29-year-old Filipina traveler, Joy Dagonano Gulmatico, was arrested at NAIA Terminal 3 on January 9 for attempting to smuggle approximately P24 million worth of cocaine.

She arrived at NAIA via Ethiopian Airlines from Sierra Leone with a layover in Addis Ababa, and was bound for Manila.

The Bureau of Immigration's Anti-Terrorist Group (BI-ATG) monitored her suspicious flight pattern, leading to her inspection.

Bureau of Customs (BOC) x-ray inspection flagged suspicious substance in her baggage.

A K-9 inspection by the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) revealed 4.574 kilograms of cocaine concealed within four handbags and one suitcase.

The drugs later tested positive for cocaine and were valued at over P24 million.

Following her arrest, she was presented for inquest for violation of the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002.