A passenger at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) was discovered with methamphetamine hydrochloride, colloquially known as “shabu,” worth approximately ₱40,800,000 concealed within improvised wooden books.

Upon arrival at the airport, the suspect’s carry-on baggage underwent X-ray screening and was referred for physical inspection. A K9 sweep indicated the presence of illegal drugs, and further examination confirmed that the white crystalline substance hidden in wooden books and wrapped in plastic and carbon paper was shabu. The substance weighed around 6,000 grams.

The Bureau of Customs - Ninoy Aquino International Airport (BOC-NAIA) immediately turned over the suspect and his items to the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) for custody and further investigation.

The suspect will be facing a case in connection with the violation of Republic Act No. 9165 (Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002, as amended) and Republic Act No. 10863 (Customs Modernization and Tariff Act).

“This interception underscores our strict profiling and risk assessment measures at the border. We will continue to tighten our controls to ensure that illegal drugs are stopped before they can enter the country,” BOC Commissioner Ariel Nepomuceno said.

The BOC-NAIA assured the public of its reinforced inspection and enforcement measures to ensure that airport facilities are not exploited for the smuggling of illegal drugs and other banned objects.