An incoming Filipino passenger was arrested at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport Centennial Terminal for carrying nearly a dozen kilos of methamphetamine hydrochloride or shabu worth what officials said was P35 million.
The airline passenger, identified as Roendo Bastatas Ariata, was intercepted on his arrival at 8:12 p.m. Tuesday on board Philippine Airlines Flight PR 307 from Hongkong.
Customs officer Kristian Cordis noticed the 38-year-old native of Monkayo, Davao was sweating when the passenger approached the customs desk, prompting the NAIA officer to ask Ariata to open his luggage.
"The passenger didn't respond to the request. So I brought the bag to the desk and I noticed that the bag was heavy for its size," Cordis said.
When he opened the bag, Cordis found seven boxes of formulated milk and also noticed a "crunchy sound."
Cordis then brought Ariata to the Bureau of Customs office at the NAIA for further questioning and inspection of his luggage.
Upon inspection, the customs personnel discovered that each of the seven boxes contained 1.053 kilograms of shabu or a total of 11.220 kg worth P35 million, officials said.
An initial investigation showed the suspected drug courier traveled frequently between Hongkong and Macau.
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