By Christopher Lloyd Caliwan

DRUG BUST. Authorities conduct an inventory on the PHP40.8 million worth of suspected shabu found inside the luggage of a 30-year-old South African national at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport Terminal 3 on Sunday (Feb. 15, 2026). The suspect, who arrived from Johannesburg via Hong Kong, was immediately arrested and will be charged with violation of the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002. (Photo courtesy of Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency)

MANILA – The Philippine National Police, through its Aviation Security Group (PNP AVSEGROUP), last week seized PHP133 million worth of illegal drugs in separate operations at major airport entry points.

In a statement Thursday, the PNP said a total of 19,569 grams of suspected shabu were seized at the PAIR-PAGSS Cargo Import Warehouse on Feb. 11, and at Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) Terminal 3’s International Arrival Area on Feb. 13 and 15 where two foreigners — a German and a South African — were arrested separately.

The PNP also reported that from Feb. 9 to 16, authorities addressed 224 taxi violations under Republic Act 4136 and two under Joint Administrative Order 2014-01, arrested two wanted persons, and carried out additional measures to strengthen security across the NAIA complex.

“These operations show that criminal elements have no safe harbor in our airports,” PNP chief Gen. Jose Melencio Nartatez Jr. said. “We will continue to enforce the law without compromise.”

In a related development, police in Taguig City seized PHP1,020,000 worth of shabu and arrested two suspects during an operation in Barangay Sta. Ana on Tuesday.

Taguig City Police Station (TCPS) chief Col. Julius Añonuevo, in a statement, said the two suspects are newly identified “high-value targets” operating within the district.

The suspects will face charges for violations of Sections 5 and 11, Article II of Republic Act 9165, or the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002.

The operation was a joint effort between the Southern Police District (SPD) Drug Enforcement Unit and Taguig City Police.

“This million-peso haul serves as a stern warning to those attempting to establish new drug networks in our jurisdiction,” SPD chief Brig. Gen. Randy Arceo said. (PNA)