MANILA, Philippines — An El Salvador national was arrested at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) Terminal 3 in Pasay City on Monday for allegedly smuggling P16.35 million worth of cocaine into the country.
Domingo Franco Quintanilla, 45, was taken into custody at around 5:40 p.m. after 3.12 kilos of cocaine were found in his luggage, according to the police Drug Enforcement Group.
Prior to Quintanilla’s arrest, NAIA authorities were on the lookout for a traveler headed to the Philippines from Brazil suspected to be carrying illegal drugs.
Based on information from their foreign counterparts, security personnel at the airport intercepted the suspect after he disembarked from a Qatar Airways flight.
After being subjected to x-ray scanning and physical examination, the suspect’s luggage was found to contain cocaine.
The foreigner is being held on charges of violating Republic Act 9165 or the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act and RA 10863, also known as the Customs Modernization and Tariff Act. – Rudy Santos