In a significant victory for Philippine law enforcement, anti-narcotics agents intercepted a massive shipment of illegal drugs worth over P114.5 million at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA), leading to the arrest of three individuals.
Major Drug Interdiction at the Country's Main Gateway
The operation, which took place on January 8, 2025, was conducted by the NAIA Inter-Agency Drug Interdiction Task Group (NAIA-IADITG). According to a statement released by the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) on Sunday, January 11, 2025, the three suspects, all identified as broker representatives, were apprehended during the interdiction activity.
Authorities successfully recovered a total of 16,848 grams of methamphetamine hydrochloride, commonly known as shabu. The illegal drugs had an estimated street value of P114,566,400, marking one of the substantial airport seizures for the year.
Creative Concealment Foiled by Authorities
The operatives discovered that the suspects had attempted to smuggle the contraband using a deceptive method. The shabu was carefully concealed inside green figurines, which were packed alongside green marble stones and tissue papers. This tactic was an apparent effort to evade the scrutiny of airport security and customs personnel.
The meticulous inspection by the joint task force, however, uncovered the illicit cargo, preventing the multi-million peso drug haul from reaching the streets.
PNP Vows Relentless Campaign Against Drug Syndicates
Philippine National Police (PNP) acting chief, General Jose Melencio Nartatez Jr., hailed the successful operation. He stated that this latest accomplishment demonstrates the PNP's unwavering commitment to eradicating illegal drug networks at all levels.
"The latest drug haul proves that the PNP remains relentless in eradicating illegal drug syndicates, from street-level drug pushing to high-value drug trafficking," Nartatez emphasized.
He credited the seizure to dedicated police work and highlighted the importance of strengthened cooperation among different law enforcement agencies and local communities. The PNP is a key member of the NAIA-IADITG, which orchestrated the operation.
General Nartatez reaffirmed the police force's dedication to its enhanced anti-drug campaigns. "The PNP will remain steadfast in our enhanced operations to dismantle illegal drug networks and protect our communities from the scourge of illegal drugs," the top cop declared.
This major drug bust at NAIA underscores the ongoing challenges and continuous efforts of Philippine authorities in combating the illegal drug trade, particularly through the country's main international gateway.
