Around 20 kilos of the illegal substance methamphetamine hydrochloride, locally known as shabu, was confiscated from two couriers in Zamboanga City Airport last November 8.

Joint elements of Aviation Security Group (AVSEGroup), Zamboanga City Police, Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG), and Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) arrested two illegal drug couriers. The suspects were identified as Salim Sabtari and Mohamad Daud both from Bongao town in Tawi-tawi. The two arrived in Zamboanga City on November 7 via a Cebu Pacific flight from NAIA Terminal 3. The two were about to board a flight to Bongao, Tawi-tawi when they were arrested by authorities 7:00 a.m. on November 8.

The 20 kilos of shabu is estimated to be worth some P60-70 million. The packs were hidden inside a carton of powdered milk. During investigations, the suspects revealed that the contrabands were given to them by a certain “Aping” in Ermita, Manila to be transported to Lahad Datu and Semporna in Malaysia.