Authorities arrested a 30-year-old overseas Filipino worker (OFW) at Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) Terminal 3 on Thursday after discovering approximately 8.2 kilograms of cocaine concealed in her luggage.
The Philippine National Police (PNP) reported Saturday that the suspect had just arrived on a flight from Brazil.
The illegal drugs, which have an estimated street value of ₱43.4 million, were detected during a routine screening when a narcotics canine alerted officers to the woman’s bag.
A subsequent manual inspection by the PNP Aviation Security Group and the Bureau of Customs revealed three improvised pouches hidden within a false compartment of the suitcase. Field tests confirmed the contents were cocaine.
The NAIA Inter-Agency Drug Interdiction Task Group has taken custody of the suspect and the seized narcotics for documentation.
The woman faces charges for violating Republic Act No. 9165, also known as the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002.
Investigators are currently working to determine if the suspect is linked to a larger international drug trafficking syndicate or was acting as an independent courier.