Photo credit: BOC

In a dramatic two-day operation, the Bureau of Customs (BOC) at Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) made headlines by foiling two separate attempts to smuggle illegal drugs worth P56,557,000. Working hand-in-hand with the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) and the NAIA Inter-Agency Drug Interdiction Task Group (NAIA-IADITG), authorities swooped in on two passengers at NAIA Terminal 3 on August 13 and 14, 2024.

On August 13, a South African passenger arrived from Abu Dhabi on Etihad Airways flight EY424, likely unaware of the watchful eyes tracking him. Little did he know, he was about to face the full force of the law. BOC-NAIA officers, equipped with high-tech x-ray scanners and K9 units, discovered 5.256 kilograms of Methamphetamine Hydrochloride—better known as shabu—tucked away in his belongings. The street value? A staggering Php 35,802,000.

But the drama didn’t end there. Just a day later, on August 14, a Thai passenger from Bangkok tried to slip through on Thai Airways flight TG620. This time, BOC-NAIA's vigilance uncovered 14.825 kilograms of Kush, a premium strain of marijuana valued at Php 20,755,000. It was another victory for the authorities, sending a clear message that the smuggling game is one not easily won at NAIA.

Both individuals were swiftly handed over to PDEA for further investigation and the start of legal proceedings under the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002 and the Customs Modernization and Tariff Act.