62-Year-Old American Caught Bringing 17.4 kg of Cannabis "Kush" Through NAIA Terminal 3

62-Year-Old American Caught Bringing 17.4 kg of Cannabis "Kush" Through NAIA Terminal 3

📌 At around 8:35 p.m. on Thursday, October 29, a 62-year-old American man arriving on a flight from Bangkok, Thailand, was caught at Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) Terminal 3 in Manila bringing in about 17.4 kg of suspected cannabis "kush." According to a Daily Tribune report, the estimated street value is 17.46 million pesos, and the man is facing charges for violating the Dangerous Drugs Act.

■ How It Happened
· In the Customs secondary inspection area, 15 vacuum-sealed pouches hidden in aluminum packaging and other materials inside two suitcases were found.
· The Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) announced this on Friday, the 30th, putting the estimated value at 17.46 million pesos (P17.46 million).
· The operation involved the NAIA Inter-Agency Drug Interdiction Task Group, the PDEA National Capital Region office, the Bureau of Customs (BOC) drug enforcement unit, the police Aviation Security Group, the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI), and the Bureau of Immigration (BI).

■ Investigation and Current Status
· The man is set to be charged with violating Republic Act No. 9165 (the Dangerous Drugs Act). The charges are the authorities' allegations and will be determined at trial.
· The seized items will be sent to a PDEA laboratory to confirm their composition.

■ Notes for Residents and Travelers
· The Philippines punishes bringing in or possessing cannabis severely. Even if it is legal in another country, you must not bring it with you.
· Do not carry someone else's luggage for them or take custody of packages when you don't know what is inside.
· Pack your own bags and don't take your eyes off them at the airport.

■ Source
Daily Tribune (10/30)

■ Photo
· Enforcement agents and officials (faces blurred) at the PDEA office — Daily Tribune