German nabbed for P55.38 million shabu at NAIA

MANILA, Philippines — A 77-year-old German was arrested at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport Terminal 3 for carrying 8.14 kilos of shabu hidden inside two bibles, the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency said.

According to the PDEA, the German, identified only as Peter, flew from Johannesburg in South Africa with a connecting flight to Hong Kong.

Security personnel manning the x-ray screening counter held him for further inspection after noticing suspicious items in his backpack.

Peter was brought to the exclusion room where Bureau of Customs and Interagency Drug Interdiction Task Group personnel inspected his bag and found two hollowed-out bibles, which contained nine plastic pouches wrapped in packaging tape.

The PDEA said 8.14 kilos of shabu, with a street value of P55.38 million, were found inside the pouches.

Peter’s travel documents, boarding passes, driver’s license, bank cards, cell phone and other belongings were seized as authorities file a case for violation of Republic Act 9165, or the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act.

Customs Commissioner Ariel Nepomuceno said the seizure reflects the bureau’s sustained enforcement posture across all ports of entry.

“We are tightening our controls through technology, intelligence and inter-agency coordination. Our message is clear – attempts to bring illegal drugs into the country will be detected, intercepted and prosecuted,” Nepomuceno said in a statement. — Bella Cariaso, Rudy Santos