Thailander nabbed with P20.75M worth of high-grade marijuana

A THAI citizen was arrested at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) in Pasay City last Wednesday for attempting to smuggle P20.75 million worth of high-grade marijuana, it was reported yesterday.

The PNP Drug Enforcement Group (PDEG) identified the suspect as Taweesup Sirirut, 40, who is now under the custody of the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA).

PDEG said Sirirut was nabbed by personnel from the NAIA-Interagency Drug Interdiction Task Group (NAIA-IADITG) at the International Arrival Area at NAIA Terminal 3 during a “controlled delivery operation.”

The task group is composed of several agencies, including the PDEG, PDEA, and the Bureau of Customs (BOC).

“Confiscated and seized during the operation was one transparent plastic weighing more or less 14,825 grams of suspected marijuana kush with Standard Drug Price of P20,755,000,” PDEG said.

PDEG Director Brig. Gen. Eleazar Matta commended the personnel “who worked tirelessly to bring this operation to a successful conclusion.

“Their dedication serves as a powerful deterrent to those who seek to profit from illegal activities at the expense of public well-being,” said Matta.

The BOC, in a statement, said the suspect arrived at NAIA from Thailand via Thai Airways flight TG620.

Last Wednesday, PDEG also announced that NAIA-IADITG personnel arrested a South African for attempting to smuggle 5.26 kilos of shabu, worth P35.8 million, also at NAIA last Tuesday.

“Both passengers were subjected to rigorous baggage screening processes, including x-ray scanning, K9 inspection, and thorough physical examinations, which led to the discovery of the illicit substances,” the BOC said.

Issuing a stern warning to those attempting to smuggle illegal goods into the country, BOC commissioner Bienvinido Rubio said: “The BOC will remain vigilant in protecting our borders against the smuggling of illegal goods.”

Police seized P170,000 worth of suspected dangerous drugs and arrested a woman in a buy-bust operation in Cainta, Rizal last Wednesday afternoon.

Col. Felipe Maraggun, Rizal provincial police office (PPO) director, identified the suspect as alias Tin-tin, 35, a resident of Barangay San Isidro, Cainta, Rizal.