20-kilo shabu seized at Zambo City airport

ZAMBOANGA CITY, Philippines – The city government is calling for an investigation on the alleged security lapses at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport Terminal 3 in Manila after close to 20 kilos of shabu was reportedly slipped into the airport here last Friday.

Mayor Ma. Isabelle Climaco-Salazar questioned the  security at the NAIA-3 after some P180-million  worth of drugs was seized  from the two suspects identified as Mohd Daud Arabani and Salim Sabtari, both of Tawi-Tawi. 

“Why did it pass through the X-ray machines and personnel of the airport in Manila? People there should also be made liable to this illegal shipment,”  Climaco-Salazar said.

She commended the Office of the Transportation Security (OTS) and the members of the Aviation Security Group (AVSEGroup) that intercepted the cargo at the Zamboanga International Airport (ZIA).

The suspects arrived from Manila with a box on Thursday afternoon and stayed overnight in the city, according to Superintendent Villaflor Bannawagan, AVSEGroup commander.

Bannawagan said the next day, the suspects attempted to have the box checked-in for another flight to Tawi-Tawi. But OTS personnel detected the drugs as it passed through the X-ray machine.

The drugs, weighing about 19.8 kilos, were wrapped in foil and carbon papers, and were stashed in small milk boxes. 

The suspects claimed the contraband was given to them by a certain “Apeng” in Ermita, Manila for transport to Lahad Datu and Sampor-na, Sabah.