American nabbed as NAIA luggage check yields 17.46 kilos of suspected kush

A trip from Bangkok ended in arrest for a 62-year-old American after airport authorities allegedly uncovered ₱17.46 million worth of suspected marijuana kush in his luggage.

The passenger was intercepted at Ninoy Aquino International Airport Terminal 3 on October 29, 2026, following the discovery of approximately 17.464 kilograms of suspected drugs.

According to the PNP Aviation Security Group (AVSEGROUP), customs X-ray screening flagged the luggage, prompting a manual inspection and K-9 examination at the Arrival International Secondary Inspection Area.

Authorities valued the haul at ₱17,464,000 based on the Standard Drug Price.

AVSEGROUP personnel, working through the NAIA Inter-Agency Drug Interdiction Task Group, arrested the American. The seized items were turned over to the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency for proper disposition and legal action.

AVSEGROUP director Police Brig. Gen. Dionisio B. Bartolome Jr. vowed tighter airport vigilance to stop illegal drugs from entering the country.

“Patuloy nating paiigtingin ang pagbabantay at pagpapatupad ng seguridad sa ating mga paliparan upang mapigilan ang pagpasok ng mga ilegal na droga sa bansa,” Bartolome said.

He warned that anyone proven involved would face accountability under the law.