The Bureau of Immigration (BI) intercepted a Vietnamese woman wanted for drug-related offenses upon her arrival at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA).

In a statement, the BI said the 25-year-old Vietnamese national, identified as Tran Thi Hoai Nam, was flagged during primary inspection at NAIA Terminal 1 on April 29, 2026, after arriving from Phnom Penh on a Philippine Airlines flight.

Immigration officers detected an alert from INTERPOL, prompting further verification.

The passenger was referred to immigration supervisors, who confirmed that she is the subject of an active Interpol Red Notice issued by Vietnamese authorities.

“Her case was reviewed and endorsed to the BI Interpol Unit and confirmed with Vietnamese authorities,” the BI said.

According to BI Interpol Unit Chief Peter de Guzman, the fugitive had allegedly been evading law enforcement since 2022 after facilitating drug use activities in Vietnam and fleeing during a police operation.

The BI added that the National Central Bureau Hanoi was immediately informed of the interception through NCB Manila, while the Vietnamese Embassy in Manila later formally requested her return to Vietnam to face prosecution.

Following standard procedures, the woman was excluded from entering the Philippines and was placed on the next available flight to Hanoi the following morning.

“Our borders will not serve as refuge for fugitives. This case highlights our strong coordination with INTERPOL and our foreign counterparts to ensure that individuals attempting to evade justice are intercepted and held accountable,” said BI Commissioner Joel Anthony Viado, stressing the Bureau’s firm stance against transnational crime.

As a result of her exclusion, Tran’s name has been added to the BI blacklist, effectively barring her from re-entering the Philippines.