P80-M worth of jewelry found stashed inside plane lavatory

ABS-CBN News

<div class="embed-wrap"><figure data-feedback="fb:likes,fb:comments"><img alt="Authorities seized P80 million worth of jewelry hidden inside the lavatory of an airplane. Photo courtesy of Airport Customs." src="https://sa.kapamilya.com/absnews/abscbnnews/media/2022/news/11/17/11172022-p80-m-worth-jewelry-found-inside-plane-lavatory.jpg"/><figcaption>Authorities seized P80 million worth of jewelry hidden inside the lavatory of an airplane. <em>Photo courtesy of Airport Customs.</em></figcaption></figure></div><p>Bureau of Customs officials at Ninoy Aquino International Airport Terminal 2 discovered some 24.4 kilos of assorted pieces of jewelry hidden inside a commercial flight of Philippine Airlines from Hong Kong.</p><p>Atty. Lourdes Mangaoang, Customs Deputy Collector for Passenger Services, disclosed to ABS-CBN News that the jewelry were found hidden inside PAL Flight PR301 from Hong Kong that arrive Thursday night in NAIA T2.</p><p>Mangaoang said she got a call from the Aircraft Operations Division that they found plastic bags stashed inside the airplane lavatory.</p><p>It was initially mistaken for drugs but after actual inspection, it was discovered to be assorted jewelry.</p><p>Mangaoang said Airport Customs District Collector Carmelita Talusan has ordered a thorough investigation to determine the identify of the person possibly involved in the incident.</p><p>Authorities strongly believe that an insider or someone who is knowledgeable in aircraft operations hid the jewelry wrapped in plastic and neatly placed it inside the airplane lavatory.</p><p>Mangaoang said the confiscated jewelry were appraised to be worth P80 million.</p><div><strong>- report from Raoul Esperas</strong></div>

Bureau of Customs officials at Ninoy Aquino International Airport Terminal 2 discovered some 24.4 kilos of assorted pieces of jewelry hidden inside a commercial flight of Philippine Airlines from Hong Kong.