American man nabbed for P1.58-M marijuana at Naia

[Lee]

Authorities arrested an American man for allegedly possessing P1.58 million worth of suspected marijuana products at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport on Monday, March 30, 2026. (Photo from the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency)

 

MANILA, Philippines — An American man was arrested for allegedly possessing P1.58 million worth of suspected marijuana products at Ninoy Aquino International Airport (Naia), the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) said on Wednesday.

Identified as alias “Dirk,” 57, the suspect was caught at the final security checkpoint in the domestic departure area of NAIA Terminal 2 on the night of March 30, according to PDEA.

“The suspect was apprehended after authorities discovered the illegal drugs concealed inside two pieces of luggage during inspection procedures at the airport facility,” the agency explained.

Authorities also recovered 1,056 grams of suspected marijuana kush; 290 pieces of marijuana gummies; 50 grams of suspected marijuana oil; and 3 grams of suspected cholesterol steroids from the foreigner’s two luggage.

The American man was taken into the local police’s custody, awaiting a case for violation of Republic Act No. 9165 or the Dangerous Drugs Act, while the confiscated suspected drugs will be turned over to the PDEA Laboratory Service for forensic examination. /mcm

American man nabbed for P1.58-M marijuana at NAIA

[Mike J]

Showing my ignorance.  What is kush and what is cholesterol steroids? 

[Tommy T.]

My question is: was this guy caught trying to export these drugs or import them? To my rum addled brain, I could not discern which?

[Guy F.]

2 minutes ago, Tommy T. said:

My question is: was this guy caught trying to export these drugs or import them? To my rum addled brain, I could not discern which?

He was nabbed in the domestic departure area. I think he got the stuff into the country on an international flight, then got caught when trying to get on a domestic flight.

[fillipino_wannabe]

Kush is a type of cannabis but they seem to use that name here for any sort of good looking cannabis.

No idea what cholesterol steroids are lol, they were probably just normal anabolic steroids without a prescription. 3 grams isn't much, he's probably just self prescribed HRT.

Edited April 2 by fillipino_wannabe

[JJReyes]

8 hours ago, Tommy T. said:

My question is: was this guy caught trying to export these drugs or import them? To my rum addled brain, I could not discern which?

My guess is he boarded the aircraft at a domestic airport and was transiting through the international airport.  At a domestic terminal, they are less likely to have drug sniffing dogs.  It was probably detected by a canine unit at international since the US authorities require all baggage and persons on a flight to the United States be subject to another inspection.  Well trained canines can smell marijuana from 100 meters.  The photo indicates amateurish packing using plastic bags.  It also begs the question.  Why marijuana? They are bulky and have a strong odor.

[GeoffH]

2 hours ago, JJReyes said:

It also begs the question.  Why marijuana? They are bulky and have a strong odor.

I have to agree, you have to be a special kind of stupid to try and move that amount of marijuana through an airport (for a domestic flight!) when you could put it in suitcases and take a bus (or even a ferry) and never get inspected.

[Gator]

2 hours ago, JJReyes said:

The photo indicates amateurish packing using plastic bags.  It also begs the question.  Why marijuana? They are bulky and have a strong odor.

I think the plastic bags are just being used as evidence bags and covering his suitcases. Drug addicts aren’t always the brightest of people. They’ll get high say to themselves they can do it and never get caught.

[Mike J]

12 hours ago, GeoffH said:

I have to agree, you have to be a special kind of stupid to try and move that amount of marijuana through an airport (for a domestic flight!) when you could put it in suitcases and take a bus (or even a ferry) and never get inspected.

Not always true.  We came over on the ferry from Dumaguete (Negros) to Liloan (Cebu).  On arrival all passengers were required to line up on the dock and put all luggage, carry-ons, backpacks, purses, etc. on the dock in front of you and step back one meter.  A dog then ran the luggage line up one side and down the other.  I ask one of the officers what they were searching for.  His replied "I cannot comment".    This was a fast craft ferry, not a RORO.  

[GeoffH]

1 hour ago, Mike J said:

Not always true.  We came over on the ferry from Dumaguete (Negros) to Liloan (Cebu). 

I've never seen that on any of the RoRo we've used but they may well be stricter ex Cebu than they are down here.