Man nabbed over airport drug paraphernalia

By Glazyl M. Jopson

BACOLOD CITY — A 25-year-old man failed to board his flight after authorities detected suspected drug paraphernalia inside his bag at the Bacolod-Silay Airport in Silay City, Negros Occidental, on Monday.

A report from the Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines said the passenger, who is from Silay City, was bound for Manila for work when he was held after his baggage underwent standard X-ray screening around 5:55 a.m.

Airport authorities said the screening detected a suspicious item inside the passenger’s bag.

Airport personnel sought police assistance, and the passenger was turned over to Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency personnel for further investigation and disposition.

Authorities recovered an improvised tooter placed inside a chewing gum container.

An improvised tooter is commonly associated with the use of illegal drugs.

In a radio interview, the man’s father said he was unaware of the item and learned about his son’s situation only from a barangay official.

He said his son went home last month for a vacation to celebrate his child’s birthday and was supposed to return to Manila for work on Monday when the incident happened.