A 43-year-old South African citizen was apprehended at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) in Pasay City over the weekend for allegedly transporting suspected shabu with an estimated value of 47.634 million pesos.

The suspect, an arriving passenger from Hong Kong, was arrested by the NAIA’s Inter-agency Drug Interdiction Task Group at Terminal 3 of the airport on August 16.

Authorities discovered 7.005 kilograms of the alleged illegal substance during a routine baggage inspection. The drugs were found inside four transparent plastic bags concealed within a black suitcase.

The suspect is facing charges for violating the importation of dangerous drugs under the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002.

If found guilty, the suspect faces penalties of life imprisonment and a fine ranging from 500,000 to 10,000,000 pesos.

“The operation underscores the steadfast commitment and dedication to protect our airports from being corridors of drug trafficking activities,” a statement said.

Ninoy Aquino International Airport

Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) is the primary international gateway serving the Manila area in the Philippines. It was originally named Manila International Airport but was renamed in 1987 in honor of Benigno “Ninoy” Aquino Jr., a senator whose assassination on its tarmac in 1983 was a pivotal event that galvanized opposition to the Marcos regime. Today, it is one of the busiest airports in Southeast Asia.

NAIA

NAIA, or Ninoy Aquino International Airport, is the primary international gateway serving Manila, Philippines. It is named in honor of Benigno “Ninoy” Aquino Jr., a senator whose assassination at the airport in 1983 was a pivotal event that led to the People Power Revolution. The airport has a long history, with its main terminal originally built in 1981 to replace the older Manila International Airport.

Pasay City

Pasay City is a highly urbanized city in Metro Manila, Philippines, historically known as a fishing village before its official founding in 1863. It is now a major gateway and economic hub, home to the Ninoy Aquino International Airport and several of the country’s largest entertainment and shopping complexes.

Terminal 3

Terminal 3 is a major airport terminal at London’s Heathrow Airport, which officially opened in 2008 to handle the increasing number of passengers. It was originally known as the Oceanic Terminal when it first opened in 1961 and was historically the departure point for long-haul flights, particularly to North America.