2 drug-carrying South Africans arrested at NAIA T3

Two South African nationals were arrested for attempting to smuggle approximately P97.8 million worth of shabu into the country at Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) Terminal 3 in Pasay City early Friday morning.

The Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) reported that the suspects were apprehended by the NAIA Inter-Agency Drug Interdiction Task Group around 1 a.m. at the international arrivals area.

Authorities discovered 14 kilograms of shabu concealed in the suspects’ baggage, along with mobile phones, travel documents, and identification cards.

The contraband was initially detected during an X-ray scan, where a Customs inspector flagged suspicious items. A subsequent K-9 inspection confirmed the presence of dangerous drugs. Physical examination of the baggage revealed crystalline substances later identified as shabu.

The suspects had traveled via Emirates Airline from Johannesburg, South Africa, with a connecting flight through Dubai, United Arab Emirates, before arriving in Manila.

According to the suspects, they were lured by a Nigerian acquaintance in South Africa with the promise of an all-expenses-paid trip to Manila. Upon arrival, they were instructed to meet another Nigerian contact.

The seized drugs have been turned over to PDEA for documentation and proper disposition.

The suspects are set to face charges under Republic Act 9165, or the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act, specifically for the importation of dangerous drugs. If convicted, they could face life imprisonment and fines ranging from P500,000 to P10 million.

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