MANILA, Philippines — A Malaysian man was arrested at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport Terminal 3 (NAIA-3) in Pasay City on Thursday after he allegedly attempted to smuggle 3.72 kilos of methamphetamine hydrochloride or shabu valued at P25.3 million.
Mohammad Ahtsham bin Mohammad Afzal, 27, was apprehended during an interdiction operation at the customs international arrival area at around 9:40 p.m., the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency’s National Capital Region field unit said in a report.
Afzal, who arrived on a flight from Addis Ababa in Ethiopia, was detained after NAIA-3 security officers noticed suspicious items in his luggage.
When they opened the suspect’s luggage, security personnel found two improvised pouches that contained the shabu.
Following Afzal’s arrest, authorities also confiscated his identification card, passport and cell phone.
The suspect is being held on complaints for violation of Republic Act 9165 or the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act.