The Bureau of Customs-Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA), in collaboration with the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) and the NAIA Inter-Agency Drug Interdiction Task Group (NAIA-IADITG), apprehended a Bolivian traveler from Addis Ababa, who arrived thru Ethiopian Airlines Flight ET 644, carrying cocaine inside his luggage.
In view of a derogatory report from foreign counterpart, the passenger’s luggage was subjected to rigorous screening, including x-ray scanning and a thorough physical examination, which eventually led to the discovery of 8.99 kilograms of cocaine concealed inside candy wrappers, with an estimated value of PHP 47.7M.

Commissioner Bienvenido Y. Rubio commended the collaborative relentless efforts of the men and women of the Port of NAIA and partner agencies in protecting the country’s borders against all attempts to smuggle illegal drugs and anti-social goods.

The arrested passenger will be prosecuted for violation of Republic Act No. 9165, otherwise known as The Comprehensive Drug Act, and Republic Act No. 10863, or the Customs Modernization and Tariff Act (CMTA).

The BOC-NAIA remains steadfast in the performance of the port’s mandates, especially in suppressing the entry of illicit goods into the country.

Since January 2023, the BOC-NAIA has recorded 59 apprehensions involving the attempted smuggling of illegal drugs, with an estimated value of PHP 1.01 billion.