Woman caught with 416 bullet shells at NAIA

MANILA, Philippines — A woman who arrived from Hawaii was found to be carrying a box of bullet shells in her luggage at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport Terminal 2 recently, officials said yesterday.

Security screener Dominic Charize Almazan detected images of bullets in the bags of a passenger bound for Laoag when they passed through the X-ray machine,  Manila International Airport Authority (MIAA) general manager Ed Monreal said.

Airline and security personnel were directed to locate the passenger and the baggage was opened for manual inspection in the presence of the owner, a United States citizen of Filipino stock.

Inspectors found 416 .38 caliber bullet shells contained in a resealable plastic bag stuffed in a box.

The woman, who arrived from Honolulu and had a connecting flight to Laoag, told authorities the box belonged to her brother-in-law, who asked her to bring it. She said she was told the box contained clothes.

The woman was allowed to board her connecting flight after the bullets were confiscated and the incident logged.

Monreal advice travelers to check the list of prohibited items before they leave for the airport.