In a significant drug bust at Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) Terminal 3 in Pasay City, authorities apprehended two South African nationals attempting to smuggle PHP97.8 million worth of shabu into the Philippines. The arrest occurred shortly after midnight on Friday, January 17, 2025, when the suspects were intercepted by the NAIA Inter-Agency Drug Interdiction Task Group at the international arrivals area.
The duo had concealed 14 kilograms of shabu within their luggage, alongside mobile phones, travel documents, and identification cards. The illicit substance was detected during a routine scan by a Customs X-ray inspector, who noticed suspicious items. Subsequent K-9 inspections confirmed the presence of dangerous drugs, and a physical examination verified the substance as shabu.
The suspects had arrived on an Emirates Airline flight from Johannesburg, South Africa, with a layover in Dubai, United Arab Emirates. They claimed to have been lured to Manila by a Nigerian acquaintance from South Africa, who promised an all-expense-paid trip. Their instructions were to meet another Nigerian upon arrival in the Philippines.
The confiscated drugs were transferred to the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) for further processing and documentation. The arrested individuals now face charges under Republic Act 9165, the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act, for importing dangerous drugs. This offense carries severe penalties, including life imprisonment and fines ranging from PHP500,000 to PHP10 million.