MANILA — Authorities discovered P70,800,800 worth of illegal drugs hidden inside a luggage at the International Arrival Area, NAIA Terminal 3, Pasay City  at around 12:00 PM on Monday, January 6.

Authorities said the luggage have been abandoned since September 2024 and were turned over by the Bureau of Customs to NAIA.

According to reports, the suspected luggage originated from Johannesburg, South Africa. 

During the interception, law enforcement units discovered five handbags, four file organizer bags, and one portfolio bag concealed within an improvised pouch made of packaging tape wrapped in black carbon paper, containing a white crystalline substance suspected to be shabu. The total weight of the seized substance was approximately 10.7 kilograms.

The seized suspected drug evidence was inventoried/marked, and photographed and immediately submitted to PDEA Laboratory Service for laboratory analysis/examination.

“Mayron na pong mga lead para po doon sa tao na nasa ikod po nung pagkaka-iwan nitong mga bagahe na ito, hayaan po ninyo na ang buong task group ay magpatuloy ng kailang imbestigasyon, para malaman ang pagkakilanlan nitong indibidwal na ito,” said Police Lieutenant Nadame Malang, chief PIO of PDEG.

"This successful operation at NAIA highlights the IADITG's unwavering commitment to intercepting illegal drugs and safeguarding Filipino communities. The confiscation of large quantities of illegal drugs means fewer dangerous substances on the streets. The public can feel confident that the IADITG is dedicated to keeping the country safe from drug-related harm," said PBGen Eleazar P. Matta, Director of the PNP Drug Enforcement Group.