THE Bureau of Customs – Ninoy Aquino International Airport (BOC-NAIA), in coordination with the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) and the NAIA Inter-Agency Drug Interdiction Task Group (NAIA-IADITG), intercepted 15,078 grams of ‘Kush or also known as Marijuana, from an arriving passenger at the NAIA Terminal 3 Arrival Area in Pasay City.
During routine baggage inspection, x-ray screening of a checked-in luggage yielded suspicious images of an organic substance. The bag and its owner were immediately subjected to physical ‘examination, which led to the discovery of 16 packs of dried leaves with a distinct odor. K9 sniffing operations conducted by PDEA confirmed the presence of illegal drugs.
With a total weight of 15,078 grams and an estimated street value of 22,617,000, the ‘kush’ was turned over to PDEA for proper documentation, inventory, and further investigation.
Commissioner Ariel F. Nepomuceno stressed the Bureau’s determination to prevent the entry of dangerous drugs into the country. “This successful interception is a clear message to those who attempt to exploit our borders for illegal activities, we will detect and we will intercept,” he said.
District Collector Alexandra Y. Lumontad lauded the swift action of the inspection team and the support of partner agencies. “The vigilance of our personnel, combined with strong inter-agency cooperation, continue to play a critical role in protecting our communities from the harm caused by illegal drugs,” she remarked.
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