The Bureau of Customs discovers shabu (crystal meth) worth P97.89 million in the luggage of two South African travellers at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (Naia) on Thursday, Jan. 16, 2025. —Photo from the Bureau of Customs
MANILA, Philippines — Shabu (crystal meth) worth P97,892,800 was confiscated by the Bureau of Customs at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (Naia), apprehending two South African nationals who had flown into the country from Dubai.
According to a report released by Customs on Tuesday, X-ray scanning, K9 assistance and physical examination led to the discovery of illegal drugs hidden inside the luggage of the South African nationals at the airport’s Terminal 3 on Thursday, Jan. 16.
Article continues after this advertisementREAD: BOC seizes P42 million worth of shabu at NAIA from a South African
FEATURED STORIES GLOBALNATION Trump decrees end of diversity programs, LGBTQ protections GLOBALNATION Trump signs order to pull US from WHO, citing funding disparities GLOBALNATION Trump suspends US foreign assistance for 90 days pending reviewsThe operation involved both the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) and the Naia Inter-Agency Drug Interdiction Task Group (IADITG).
The suspects were turned over to the PDEA, awaiting complaints for violating the Republic Act No. 9165 or the Dangerous Drugs Act; and RA No. 10863 or the Customs Modernization and Tariff Act.
Article continues after this advertisementREAD: PDEA: Zambian woman nabbed with P63M drugs at Naia
Article continues after this advertisementIn the report, Customs Commissioner Bienvenido Rubio praised the bureau’s Naia team, “Your continuous dedication in enhancing the border control measures at the airport underscores our commitment in ensuring the safety of the Filipino people.
“We will remain vigilant and proactive in our efforts against all forms of illegal trade,” he added.
While the Marcos administration has been exerting efforts to attract more green power developments to the market, the sector may be dealing with some hitches as the projects are now “being processed for termination” due to the companies’ failure to meet committed timelines, the agency noted Sunday.
To recall, at the time the contract was terminated last August—four years after it was awarded—AllCard delivered 49.9 percent of its commitment to supply raw materials for the production of 116 million blank cards.
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