Airport police arrest Malaysian over 15-kilo ‘shabu’
The Philippine National Police arrested on Friday a Malaysian woman at Ninoy Aquino International Airport (Naia) who was found in possession of 15 kilograms of suspected “shabu,” (crystal meth) with an estimated street value of more than P102 million.
The PNP said on Saturday that the seizure occurred around 12:47 a.m. on Friday at the Arrival Lobby Custom x-ray area of Naia Terminal 1. Authorities recovered 15,024 grams of suspected shabu from the suspect, with an estimated street value of P102,163,000.
The suspect is now in police custody and faces charges under the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002 (Republic Act No. 9165). Investigators are still tracing possible connections to larger drug networks.
PNP chief Gen. Jose Melencio Nartatez Jr. commended the airport police units for their “swift and coordinated action,” saying authorities will continue intensified intelligence and interdiction operations at major entry points to curb the flow of illegal drugs into the country.
“We will not allow our gateways to be used for illegal drugs, and we will continue to strengthen our vigilance,” Nartatez said in a statement.
The operation was conducted jointly by the Naia Inter-Agency Drug Interdiction Task Group and the Aviation Security Unit of the PNP Aviation Security Group.
The PNP Bicol Regional Office also arrested on Friday three high-value individuals, including a police corporal, and the seized of illegal drugs valued at more than P2 million in separate operations.
Bicol regional director Brig. Gen. Erosito Miranda said the police corporal faces criminal and administrative complaints after he was caught in possession of suspected shabu during the service of a search warrant in Baao, Camarines Sur.
Another cop involved
According to the police report, the corporal is assigned to the Personnel Holding and Accounting Section of the PNP-Highway Patrol Group, and is a resident of Baao, Camarines Sur.
Seized from him were four heat-sealed transparent plastic sachets containing suspected shabu, weighing approximately 16.8 grams, with an estimated street value of P114,240.
“Operations against illegal drugs are continuous and uncompromising. No one is above the law. Any PNP personnel who violates the law, regardless of rank, will be held accountable. PNP-Bicol will not allow rogue elements to tarnish the integrity of the force. Those who betray public trust will face justice—without exception,” Miranda said in a statement.
In Minalabac, also in Camarines Sur, two individuals were arrested in a separate operation—alias Mar, 26, of Barangay Pinagbuhatan, Pasig City, and alias Louie, 27, of Barangay San Lorenzo, Taytay, Rizal.
Authorities recovered from them three knot-tied transparent plastic bags containing 300 grams of suspected shabu, with an estimated street value of P2,040,000.
Miranda said the suspects and the seized items are now in the custody of the Minalabac Municipal Police for proper disposition.
The marking and inventory of the evidence were conducted on-site in the presence of the suspects and an inspecting witness. —WITH A REPORT FROM PNA
