Suspect arrested for smuggling P47.6M worth of drugs at NAIA

On Saturday, August 16, authorities arrested a 43-year-old South African national at Ninoy Aquino International Airport Terminal 3 for attempting to smuggle over P47.6 million worth of suspected methamphetamine hydrochloride.

The suspect was intercepted by the NAIA Inter-Agency Drug Interdiction Task Group after his luggage triggered a routine inspection flagged by a K-9 unit, and is now facing charges under Republic Act 9165, also known as the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002.

Upon searching the bag, authorities found four plastic bags containing more than 7 kilograms of suspected illicit drugs hidden among the suspect's clothes.

Despite claiming to be an electrical engineer on a work-related trip to purchase a metal cutting machine and denying any knowledge of the contraband, PDEA remains unconvinced of his innocence.

If found guilty, the suspect faces penalties including life imprisonment and a fine ranging from P500,000 to P10,000,000 according to the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002.

Authorities are working with the Bureau of Immigration to confirm if this was the suspect's first visit to the Philippines.