Malaysian 'honeymooners' busted by NAIA Customs police with six kilos of shabu

The supposed honeymooners are confronted by Philippine Customs authorities with the six kilos of shabu in the false bottom of their luggage. ERIC APOLONIO, INTERAKSYON.COM

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InterAksyon.com
The online news portal of TV5

MANILA, Philippines - Alert Bureau of Customs agents at the NAIA Terminal 2 on Saturday nabbed a Malaysian couple who tried to sneak out of the Customs arrival area six kilos of methamphetamine hydrochloride, locally known as shabu, hidden in the false bottom of their luggage. Police estimated the street value of the substance at P30 million.

The couple, claiming to be on an overnight honeymoon in Manila, was grilled by Customs Police Sgt. Antonio Punzalan and their luggage was subjected to rigid inspection by Customs examiner Carol Buenconsejo and supervisor Beth Pableo, who discovered the illegal substance. 

In a spot report to NAIA Customs deputy collector for passenger services Teresita Roque, the chief of NAIA Customs Police, Col. Marlon Alameda, identified the suspects as N. Chandrar Nadarajan and his supposed wife Tamil Selviveloo. They arrived on Philippine Airlines flight PR 319 from Hong Kong. 

The couple claimed they flew to Manila for their honeymoon and denied knowing the contents of the package inside their luggage, saying that it was entrusted to them by a Chinese travel agent in Hong Kong to deliver to Manila, to be picked up from their hotel in Malate. 

Alameda said Customs examiner Buencosejo, upon the advice of Sgt. Punzalan, subjected the couple’s belongings to rigid inspection as they appeared nervous and insisted that they be allowed to leave the counter right away, as they are in a hurry to meet some friends outside. 

Buencosejo then examined the contents of their luggage and found the package hidden in a false bottom. She asked Customs Police officer Ernie Paracale to invite the couple to the customs inspection room together with their luggage for verification. There, the authorities confirmed the six kilos of shabu with street value of P30 million. 

Nadarajan and Veloo were turned over to the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA).

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