A 62-year-old Canadian citizen, identified only as “Grace,” is facing drug charges after authorities at Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) Terminal 3 seized 24 kilograms of suspected shabu from her luggage on Monday, July 14.
The Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) reported that Grace underwent inquest proceedings at the Department of Justice (DOJ) on Tuesday, charged with violating Section 5, Article II of the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002. The suspected shabu was discovered concealed within multiple foil-wrapped packages hidden inside large garbage bags.
Initial field tests conducted by authorities confirmed the substance to be shabu, pending further confirmation from the PDEA Laboratory Service.
Aside from the suspected narcotics, authorities also recovered Grace’s Canadian passport, airline boarding passes, a mobile phone, an identification card, and a baggage declaration form.
The significant quantity of suspected shabu seized highlights the ongoing challenge of drug smuggling at international airports and underscores the importance of continued vigilance by law enforcement agencies. The outcome of the inquest proceedings and subsequent legal process will determine the extent of Grace’s culpability and the penalties she may face.
