Authorities arrest woman for smuggling PHP218M worth of shabu at NAIA

On Wednesday evening, authorities arrested Christine Tigranes, a 28-year-old consignee, at Ninoy Aquino International Airport for attempting to smuggle PHP218.48 million worth of shabu.

Tigranes was apprehended by members of the NAIA Inter-Agency Drug Interdiction Task Group and found in possession of four parcels containing approximately 32.13 kg of suspected shabu concealed within a machinery muffler.

The shipment, which arrived from Zimbabwe on April 13 and was initially declared as 'machinery muffler,' was flagged by the Bureau of Customs after profiling indicated suspicious activity.

Customs Commissioner Bienvenido Rubio stated that the X-ray inspection confirmed the dubious contents of the package, leading to its seizure. The Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency later confirmed that the contraband was indeed shabu.

Director Verne Enciso of the Customs Intelligence and Investigation Service highlighted that this operation aligns with President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.'s directive to intensify anti-drug smuggling efforts.

Further investigations are being conducted by the NAIA Inter-Agency Drug Interdiction Task Group to determine if there is a larger group involved or any accomplices, while Tigranes will be charged under Sections 118, 1400, and 1113 of the Customs Modernization and Tariff Act and the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act.