Indon ex-teacher caught with P17-million shabu

MANILA, Philippines - A retired teacher from Indonesia was arrested at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) Sunday for allegedly trying to smuggle 3.7 kilos of shabu, which has a street value of P17 million.

Francesca Jovian, 57, had come from China via Hong Kong. Customs collector for passenger services chief Teresita Roque and customs police chief Col. Marlon Alameda said examiner Jemky Flor Santos, together with customs supervisor Ritchie Domilon, asked Jovian about the contents of her suitcase.

“She became nervous, (coming up) with different declarations,” Domilon said.

 Domilon and Santos asked the customs police to inspect Jovian’s suitcase. They told The STAR they had no knowledge of and had received no tips that Jovian had been carrying shabu, hidden in the suitcase’s false bottom.

Roque said Jovian had flown to the Philippines four times this month before she was arrested Sunday. She is under the custody of the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency.