Anti-narcotics agents have arrested a Bolivian national at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) for allegedly trying to smuggle into the country illegal drugs with an estimated street value of P47 million.
In a statement, the Philippine National Police Drug Enforcement Group (PDEG) identified the suspect as Robert Lavadenz Alvarez, 30, of Bolivia. He was intercepted upon arrival at the NAIA on board an Ethiopian Airline flight from Addis Ababa, Ethiopia..
Alvarez was nabbed during an “interdiction operation” conducted at the Customs International Arrival Area, NAIA Terminal 3, Pasay City at about 8:40 p.m. on Oct. 31, the statement read.
Seized from the suspect were one luggage containing more or less 8,999.11 grams of cocaine valued at P47,695,283, a Bolivian passport, two boarding passes attached with baggage tag; Customs baggage declaration form; a Bolivian national ID card; and a cellular phone.
The confiscated luggage will undergo seizure and forfeiture proceedings as authorities investigate the arrested passenger for violation of Republic Act (RA) No. 9165, or the Comprehensive Drug Act of 2002, and RA 10863, or the Customs Modernization and Tariff Act.