MANILA, Philippines -A Malaysian national was arrested at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) on New Year’s Eve for allegedly smuggling six kilos of high-grade methamphetamine hydrochloride (shabu) in his luggage.
Kean Hock Yap, a 47-year-old taxi driver, arrived from Bangkok, Thailand at 7 p.m. aboard Philippine Airlines flight PR-731, Philippine National Police spokesman Chief Superintendent Agrimero Cruz said.
NAIA Customs deputy collector Teresita Roque said Yap, after taking his luggage from the conveyor, allegedly tried to join groups of Filipinos in line at the Customs counter for clearance.
She said Yap reportedly tried to hide his luggage among those of other passengers.
NAIA Customs police chief Mariano Biteng Jr. said Yap’s trolley bag contained six packets of high-grade shabu with a street value of P30 million.
“We observed a trend – Malaysian nationals act as shabu couriers, going into the country through NAIA,” he said.
Yap was turned over to the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency and scheduled for inquest at the Pasay City prosecutor’s office.