Customs agents intercepted a Malaysian national caught in possession of more than P1 million cash Friday night at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport.
Gan Kang Hsiung, 32, arrived at NAIA Terminal 3 from Kota Kinabalu with an undeclared cash amounting to P1.1 million in his possession.
Customs arrival examiner Edgardo Cabanillas directed the foreigner to bring his checked-in luggage to the examination lane for inspection after noticing that the latter and his two companions were acting suspiciously.
Agents of the Customs Intelligence and Investigation Service and the Enforcement and Security Service immediately placed the foreigner under arrest after Cabanillas discovered the Philippine peso bills inside the luggage.
“[The foreigner is now] undergoing custodial investigation. Concerned personnel are preparing their affidavits for the institution of inquest proceedings,” said lawyer Ma. Lourdes Mangaoang, NAIA Customs Deputy Collector for Passenger Service, in a text message.
The foreigner violated provisions of the Customs Modernization and Tariff Act in relation to Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas Manual of Regulations on Foreign Exchange.
Authorities reminded foreign and local air travelers to declare their money at the airport to avoid any inconvenience.
Seven months ago, Customs operatives also intercepted a package containing US dollars equivalent to more than half a million pesos smuggled from Arkansas via air cargo.
The package shipped through FedEx from Arkansas, USA with some USD12,000 cash in 100 bills was wrapped in aluminum foil and placed in a mobile phone box.
In December 2018, authorities intercepted a huge amount of undeclared foreign currency brought into the country by Korean tourist Kim Junheon.
Kim arrived in Manila on board a Philippine Airlines flight from Hong Kong with an undeclared cash amounting to HK$3.828 million (about P25-million in Philippine peso) in his possession.
The foreigner was about to exit the arrival area with his silver carry-on bag when Customs men stopped him.
“The public is advised to refrain from similar fraudulent schemes as the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas Manual of Foreign Exchange Transaction requires the faithful declaration and accomplishment of Foreign Currency Declaration Forms for importation and exportation of foreign currency in excess of $10,000 or its equivalent,” the BOC said.