An American passenger was arrested at Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) Terminal 3 after authorities intercepted approximately Php 17.46 million worth of suspected marijuana kush concealed inside food packages in his luggage on October 29, 2026.

The Bureau of Customs (BOC), in coordination with the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) and the NAIA Inter-Agency Drug Interdiction Task Group (NAIA-IADITG), apprehended the foreign national upon his arrival from Bangkok, Thailand.

According to the BOC, the passenger was carrying two checked-in bags containing food packages used to conceal the suspected illegal drugs.

The contraband was discovered after X-ray screening revealed suspicious images inside the luggage. A subsequent inspection by a drug-sniffing dog indicated the possible presence of illegal substances, prompting Customs personnel to conduct a physical examination.

Authorities recovered 15 vacuum-sealed packages of suspected marijuana kush weighing a combined 17,464 grams, or approximately 17.46 kilograms.

Five packages weighing 5,122 grams and valued at approximately Php 5.12 million were recovered from the first bag, while 10 packages weighing 12,342 grams and worth Php 12.34 million were discovered in the second.

The American passenger was subsequently arrested for allegedly attempting to smuggle illegal drugs into the country.

The operation came just three days after the BOC, PDEA, and NAIA-IADITG intercepted another shipment of suspected marijuana kush at the same airport terminal.

On October 26, authorities discovered 7,335 grams of suspected marijuana kush worth approximately Php 7.33 million inside unclaimed luggage that also originated from Bangkok.

The suspected drugs were concealed in aluminum food pouches and sealed transparent plastic bags.

The two operations resulted in the seizure of approximately 24.8 kilograms of suspected marijuana kush with a combined estimated value of Php 24.79 million within four days.

The confiscated substances were turned over to the PDEA for proper disposition and appropriate legal proceedings.

BOC-NAIA District Collector Yasmin Obillos-Mapa attributed the consecutive seizures to intensified airport inspections and close coordination among law enforcement agencies.

“Patuloy nating paiigtingin ang inspeksyon at pagbabantay sa ating paliparan. Sa tulong ng ating mga katuwang na ahensya, sisiguraduhin nating mahaharang ang mga ilegal na droga at mapapanagot ang mga nasa likod nito,” Obillos-Mapa said.

Customs Commissioner Ariel Nepomuceno also commended the personnel involved in the operations, emphasizing the importance of sustained vigilance against illegal drug trafficking.

“Hindi natatapos sa isang matagumpay na operasyon ang laban natin kontra ilegal na droga. Tuloy-tuloy ang ating pagbabantay, at sa bawat pagtatangkang magpuslit, nakahanda ang ating mga tauhan at mga katuwang na ahensya na kumilos,” Nepomuceno said.

He added that the bureau would continue strengthening intelligence sharing, border security, and coordination with other law enforcement agencies to prevent the entry of illegal drugs while facilitating legitimate passenger travel and trade.

The BOC said the operations form part of the government’s intensified campaign against illegal drug smuggling under the administration of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.