Metro Manila (CNN Philippines) — Airport authorities on Sunday nabbed a 22-year-old college student for smuggling around ₱25 million worth of cocaine into the country.
They confiscated around 4.8 kg of cocaine hidden inside the luggage of Jonjon Villamin Jr., who returned from a five-day trip to Brazil.
The NAIA Inter-Agency Drug Interdiction Task Group received a tip midday about the arrival of a certain cocaine drug mule.
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From Brazil, the suspect took a connecting flight to Manila in Dubai.
Immigration records show that Villamin left the Philippines for Hong Kong on September 24.
Villamin stayed there for two days before traveling to Brazil on September 26.
In Brazil, Villamin said he was instructed by a “friend” to use a new luggage for his trip back to the Philippines.
Villamin claimed he was clueless about the hidden contents of the luggage.
Airport authorities, however, doubt his claims. They suspect Villamin was lured into the trade by a highly organized drug syndicate.
Arnel Alcaraz, officer-in-charge at the Bureau of Customs Enforcement Group, said Villamin stayed in Hong Kong for 10 days.
Alcaraz said it is quite too long for a stay in Hong Kong.
Villamin also admitted that he used social media messaging apps to communicate with the friend who he refused to identify.
He said this friend offered him the trip to Brazil.
Villamin will be temporarily held at the NAIA Holding Area.
He is charged with the violation of the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002, a non-bailable offense.
Airport authorities said Villamin could be facing lifetime imprisonment.
