NAIA-Customs execs find illegal drugs in stuffed toy

MANILA, Philippines - At least 200 pieces of suspected methamphetamine tablets were discovered inside a stuffed toy during an inspection at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) on Wednesday.

The tablets were found stuffed in the hands, legs and head of a teddy bear that was sent through a courier firm, said NAIA-Customs Intelligence and Investigation Service (CIIS) chief Joel Pinawin.

The illegal substance was discovered when a package containing the stuffed toy passed through the X-ray machine manned by personnel of the Bureau of Customs at the DHL warehouse.

Authorities, however, were only able to open the package the next day when agents of the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) arrived to inspect it.

The tag on the package showed the teddy bear was sent by a certain Jason Thomas of Puerto Galera, Oriental Mindoro through the LBC Express, but which was transferred to the DHL. It was supposed to be delivered to a certain Miss H. Thompson in South Africa.

Attached in the package was a note marked “Happy Birthday Sweetie.”

“This is the first time for us to discover illegal drugs inside a toy. We would be more vigilant now that we know that even toys are being used to transport drugs,” Pinawin said.

He said they have previous cases of contrabands concealed in books, a bottle filled with lotion and slippers.

Pinawin said there were indications that the stitches of the teddy bear were opened so the contraband could be placed inside.

The tablets were turned over to the PDEA for proper disposition.