Man with 4.8 kilos of cocaine nabbed at Naia

Authorities have arrested a 22-year-old Filipino for attempting to smuggle 4.8 kilos of cocaine into the country.

The man was identified by Bureau of Immigration (BI) Commissioner Jaime Morente as Jon-Jon Villamin Jr.

Villamin was arrested by operatives of the BI, Bureau of Customs (BOC) and the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) upon his arrival in Manila on board Emirates flight EK332 from Dubai.

Based on the report to  Department of Justice (DOJ) of Intelligence Officer II Bienvenido Castillo, he was informed by PDEA about the arrival of a possible drug mule.

“I immediately went to the Terminal 3 and proceeded to Emirates airlines to confirm if our subject was on board. Emirate ground staff confirmed that indeed subject was on board,” Castillo said.

The task group members followed Villamin as he went to the carousel to get his check-in baggage after which they accosted the suspect and invited him for questioning at the Customs office.

Villamin allegedly denied knowing that he had cocaine in his luggage, saying 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. RAM/rga

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