A 77-year-old German national was arrested at Ninoy Aquino International Airport Terminal 3 after authorities seized more than P55 million worth of suspected methamphetamine hydrochloride, locally known as shabu, hidden inside Bibles.
The operation took place around 2 p.m. Friday at the airport’s arrival area. It was led by the NAIA Inter-Agency Drug Interdiction Task Group, with support from the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency, Bureau of Customs and other agencies.
Authorities said the suspect arrived from Johannesburg, South Africa, and was supposed to take a connecting flight to Hong Kong.
Inside the suspect’s backpack, officers found two books labeled “Holy Bible” containing nine plastic pouches. Tests indicated the pouches contained about 8,145 grams of suspected shabu.
The seized drugs have an estimated street value of P55,386,000, authorities said.
The suspect is facing charges for violating Republic Act 9165, or the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002.
Authorities said the confiscated items will undergo laboratory examination as they prepare to file formal charges against the suspect.
