Bolivian Detained at NAIA for Alleged Smuggling of Cocaine Valued at PHP 47 Million

A Bolivian traveler was apprehended at Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) for allegedly attempting to transport narcotics estimated to be worth PHP 47 million, the Philippine National Police Drug Enforcement Group (PDEG) disclosed on Thursday.

According to Philippines News Agency, identified as Robert Lavadenz Alvarez, arrived on Ethiopian Airline Flight ET644 from Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, and was detained during an operation at the airport’s Customs International Arrival Area in NAIA Terminal 3, Pasay City, around 8:40 p.m. on October 31.

During the arrest, authorities seized approximately 8,999.11 grams of what is believed to be cocaine from Alvarez’s luggage. Additionally, a Bolivian passport, two boarding passes from Ethiopian Airlines complete with baggage tags, a Customs baggage declaration form, a Bolivian National ID card, and a cellular phone were recovered. The apprehended items will be subject to seizure and forfeiture procedures while Alvarez faces investigation under Republic Act No. 9165, known as the Comprehensive Drug Act of 2002, and RA 10863, or the Customs Modernization and Tariff Act.