P1.54 million kush seized from Filipina at NAIA-3

MANILA, Philippines — A Filipina was arrested at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA)  Terminal 3 in Pasay City yesterday for allegedly carrying 1.11 kilos of high-grade marijuana or kush worth P1.54 million.

Magnolia Paaño Buenio, 34, was apprehended by the NAIA Inter-agency Drug Interdiction Task Group at the airport’s international arrival area around 11 a.m. after X-ray scanning and physical examination showed the kush in her luggage, according to Mark Almase, Bureau of Customs assistant deputy collector for passenger services.

Philippine National Police Drug Enforcement Group director Brig. Gen. Eleazar Matta said the suspect, who flew in from Bangkok, Thailand, carried a plastic marble pot in her luggage that aroused suspicions from airport authorities.

When they opened the pot, they saw two vacuum-sealed plastic packs, which contained dried marijuana leaves.

Buenio is facing criminal cases for importation of dangerous drugs.