‘Shabu’ in milk cartons intercepted at Naia

MANILA, Philippines–Customs authorities have intercepted an airline passenger who allegedly tried to bring in illegal drugs, which he reportedly concealed in milk boxes, with an estimated street value of P35 million.

Customs Police Chief Supt. Joey Yuchongco identified the passenger as Roendo Ariata, a Filipino, who yielded some 7.5 kilos of “shabu” (methamphetamine hydrochloride) inside his luggage at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport at 8 p.m. Tuesday.

Ariata was intercepted at Naia after arriving on a Philippine Airlines flight (PR-307) from Hong Kong.

He apparently acted suspiciously and his overweight check-in luggage caught the attention of Customs authorities at the airport.

A more thorough inspection of his bags led to the discovery of the contraband.

Ariata allegedly even tried to bribe the Customs examiner on duty but was refused. He was to be turned over to the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency.

Last year, the Bureau of Customs (BOC) seized illegal drugs worth up to half a billion pesos in what they described was their biggest drug haul ever.

“While we welcome and extend utmost courtesy to all those wanting to visit the country, the BOC, however, does not welcome drug traffickers and drug mules. We shall apprehend on site and apply the maximum penalties allowed by law to all those caught with contraband and illegal drugs,” BOC chief Ruffy Biazon said.