Nepalese caught with P14.9-M shabu at NAIA

MANILA, Philippines - A Nepalese man was arrested for trying to smuggle 1.8 kilos of shabu when he arrived at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport Terminal 2 (NAIA-2) from Bangkok Friday night.

In a report submitted to Bureau of Customs (BOC) Commissioner Rufino Biazon, NAIA district commander Marlon Alameda identified the alleged drug courier as Sun Bahadur Tamang, 45.

According to the repot, Customs police Byron Carbonell and Richie Roy Beldia detected a suspicious item in Tamang’s luggage when it passed through the x-ray scanner.

Verne Enciso, chief of the BOC-NAIA Customs Intelligence and Investigation Service, said their customs examiner, Marius Landicho, became suspicious when he smelled mothballs in Tamang’s luggage and other officers noticed Tamang acting strangely. He and other officers detected a false bottom and found the shabu, which has a street value of P14.9 million.

Authorities found that it was not Tamang’s first visit to the Philippines. Records show he arrived last July 12.

“Upon initial questioning the courier said he knew he was carrying ice and he knew the quantity. When asked if he carried shabu on his first arrival in the Philippines he no longer cooperated,” Enciso said.

Bahadur will be charged with transporting illegal drugs into the country, officials said. Biazon lauded the BOC personnel for foiling Tamang’s attempt to smuggle drugs. – Evelyn Macairan, Rudy Santos