Authorities apprehended a British national after discovering PHP22.6 million worth of marijuana kush in his luggage at Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) Terminal 3 in Pasay City on Thursday night.
The suspect, identified as “Dean,” a 60-year-old British national, arrived on Thai Airways flight No. TG624 from Bangkok, Thailand, at approximately 8:40 p.m., according to a report by Philippine National Police – Drug Enforcement Group (PDEG) chief Brig. Gen. Edwin Quilates.
During a routine inspection of his green luggage, authorities found 35 transparent plastic pouches wrapped with packaging tape, containing dried leaves suspected to be marijuana kush, with a total weight of 15,078 grams.
In addition to the illegal drugs, non-drug items were also recovered, including identification documents, a boarding pass, and a mobile phone, all belonging to the suspect.
All confiscated evidence has been turned over to the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) for examination and proper disposition.
The suspect is set to face charges for violating Section 4, Article II of Republic Act 9165, also known as the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act, which prohibits the importation of dangerous drugs. This offense carries a penalty of life imprisonment and a fine of up to PHP10 million, depending on the final weight and classification of the illegal drugs involved.