Government agents at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport Terminal 3 arrested a foreigner after he tried to smuggle in cocaine in his backpack . The tourist was immediately arrested when the contents of his bag were declared illegal drugs.
A Salvadoran national was arrested after smuggling an estimated P16.5 million worth of cocaine upon his arrival at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) Terminal 3.
The Bureau of Customs at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (BoC-NAIA) said 45-year-old Franco Quintanilla Domingo arrived via Qatar Airways flight QR932 after a connecting flight from Brazil.
After his backpack went through X-ray scan, the BoC, Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA), and the NAIA Inter-Agency Drug Interdiction Task Group found at least 3.1 kilograms of powdery substance inside which confirmed the field testing for cocaine.
According to Port of NAIA, the drugs have an estimated street value of P16,536,000.
Prior to Domingo's arrest, the BoC received an email message sent by the Department of Homeland Security which stated:
"This is to coordinate with your good office the arrival of suspicious traveler identified as Domingo Franco Quintanilla (Date od Birth: November 20, 1977) and (Passport No. A02333631) was in Brazil and left a couple of weeks ago and is expected to arrive in Manila today via QR932 DOHA-MNL). HSI Manila would like to provide information related to this suspicious traveler to act on as your agency deems necessary. Please let us know of the development, if any regarding his travel."
Authorities said the suspect was an electrician in his country, moonlighting as drug mule.
The foreigner was later turned over to the PDEA for the filing of criminal cases against him.
Tags: #salvadorantourist, #smugglingcocaine, #arrestedatnaia, #homelandsecurity