PHP42M shabu, P8M ecstasy seized at NAIA, Clark

Law enforcement authorities confiscated PHP42.16 million worth of shabu (methamphetamine) from a South African national at Ninoy Aquino International Airport Terminal 3 on Saturday night, and later seized P8.31 million worth of ecstasy tablets at the Port of Clark.

The operation involved the Philippine National Police-Drug Enforcement Group in cooperation with other agencies including the Intelligence Foreign and Liaison Division, Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency, and Bureau of Customs.

A 31-year-old male South African passenger arriving from Addis Ababa, Ethiopia was arrested for possessing one black luggage containing a transparent plastic pouch wrapped with black duct tape and packaging tape, which had approximately 6.2 kilograms of shabu.

In a separate incident at the Port of Clark, 4,891 ecstasy tablets were found concealed among coffee beans in a shipment from the Netherlands.

Customs Intelligence and Investigation Service (CIIS) Director Verne Enciso said efficient profiling and up-to-date equipment aided in the arrest after an X-ray inspection flagged suspicious contents in the passenger's checked-in baggage.

The BOC reported that the luggage was marked 'x' following K-9 inspections, leading to a physical examination which revealed white crystalline substance hidden under the suitcase.

Charges have been filed against the South African national, Phillip Theunissen, before the Pasay City Prosecutor's Office on Oct. 13 for violations of Republic Act (RA) 9165 and RA 10863.