Frequent flier yields P25-M cocaine hidden in suitcase

A 22-YEAR-OLD student was arrested at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (Naia) on Sunday for trying to smuggle into the country 4.8 kilos of cocaine worth P25 million hidden in his luggage.

The Bureau of Immigration (BI) said that it had received a tip about a suspected drug mule three hours before Jon-Jon Villamin Jr. arrived at the airport.

“He claimed it was given to him by a Brazilian friend who promised to call and instruct him where to bring the luggage upon his arrival in Manila,” BI Commissioner Jaime Morente said. He added that Villamin had told him he knew nothing about the drugs in his luggage.

A source said this was the second time Villamin served as a drug mule for his contact in Brazil.

It was learned that the suspect left the country on Aug. 31, flying to Hong Kong, Dubai and Rio de Janeiro in Brazil before returning to Manila on Sept. 11.

On Sept. 24, Villamin flew out of Manila and returned the following day.

“His trips have only a few days’ interval. He’s a frequent traveler. He claimed that someone just asked him to bring the luggage,” said BI spokesperson Tonette Mangrobang.

Villamin arrived from Dubai aboard Emirates flight EK 332 at 4:30 p.m. on Oct. 2 at Naia Terminal 3 where he was apprehended by the BI and the Naia drug interdiction task group.

The cocaine hidden in his luggage was discovered during an inspection.

Villamin is now in the custody of the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency which charged him with importing, transporting and possessing illegal drugs.