Push Admin

Korean man carrying gambling money in luggage detained at NAIA

Article (news)

Anjo Bagaoisan, ABS-CBN News

<div class="embed-wrap"><figure data-feedback="fb:likes,fb:comments"><img src="https://sa.kapamilya.com/absnews/abscbnnews/media/2018/tvpatrol/12/01/20181201-money.jpg"/><figcaption>More than 3.8 million Hong Kong dollars was found inside the luggage of a Korean citizen at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport. Courtesy of Raoul Esperas</figcaption></figure></div>MANILA—A Korean citizen was detained at Ninoy Aquino International Airport after about 4 million Hong Kong dollars in gambling earnings was allegedly found in his luggage.Atty. Michael Mosquite, lawyer of Kim Junheon, 35, questioned the holding of his client by Customs officers pending inquest proceedings.Mosquite told ABS-CBN News that Customs officials have not been able to provide them with documentation regarding possible charges.Kim has been under Customs custody since arriving in Manila from Hong Kong via a Philippine Airlines flight on Friday night.Atty. Marlon Agaceta, head of the Customs legal department, told ABS-CBN News that Kim went past the Customs lane and skipped the required X-ray inspection of his hand-carried luggage.Kim, who allegedly kept saying &quot;no English,&quot; was prevented from exiting the Customs zone, Agaceta said.A black mass was seen via X-ray in his gray luggage when it passed through the machine.The mass was found to contain Hong Kong dollar bills amounting to 3,828,975 Hong Kong dollars after a day-long inventory witnessed by a private lawyer and an interpreter contacted by Kim.Agaceta said Kim would face charges of unlawful importation of foreign currency and violation of a Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas regulation prohibiting passengers from carrying foreign currency in excess of US$10,000.Mosquite, Kim&#x27;s lawyer, however, said that his client did not fail to declare the amount of cash he was carrying as 4 million Hong Kong dollars.There was nothing illegal with what Kim did, provided it was declared, Mosquite said.He said Kim was a high roller in casinos in Macau and had won a large amount of money there, which he would then play in casinos in the Philippines.This is Kim&#x27;s second visit to the country since July, Mosquite said.The lawyer said his client was assured by representatives of the Bureau of Customs that charges would be filed against Kim as early as Sunday afternoon when a prosecutor is available.&quot;Ang stand namin is, as of this time, walang legal basis para i-detain siya. Kasi kung sasabihin mong hinuli mo sana may papel at least alam namin,&quot; he said.Mosquite added that Kim&#x27;s detention had become illegal since he had not yet been charged with anything in 24 hours.&quot;Kung lumampas sa legal period ng detention, sana ni-release na lang and kinasuhan through regular filing,&quot; he said.Customs authorities, meanwhile, warned airline passengers against attempting to smuggle prohibited or regulated items into the country by bypassing x-ray inspection of hand-carry luggages. — With Raoul Esperas

A Korean citizen was detained at NAIA after about 4 million Hong Kong dollars in gambling earnings was allegedly found in his luggage.

A Korean citizen was detained at NAIA after about 4 million Hong Kong dollars in gambling earnings was allegedly found in his luggage.

Korean man carrying gambling money in luggage detained at NAIA

News

Entertainment

Lifestyle

Sports

Metro.Style

More

Traffic

Manila

Horoscope

News

Korean man carrying gambling money in luggage detained at NAIA

Anjo Bagaoisan,

ABS-CBN News

Published Dec 01, 2018 11:39 PM PHT

|

Updated Dec 02, 2018 08:30 PM PHT

Read More:

NAIA

airport

Korea

Hong Kong dollars

Korean

gambling

ABS-CBN is the leading media and entertainment company in the Philippines, offering quality content across TV, radio, digital, and film. Committed to public service and promoting Filipino values, ABS-CBN continues to inspire and connect audiences worldwide.

Corporate

Investors

Governance

International Distribution

Corporate

Governance

Investors

International Distribution

NPC Seal of Registration

Privacy Policy

AI Policy

Terms of Service

Advertise with Us

© 2025 ABS-CBN Corporation. All Rights Reserved.

NPC Seal of Registration

Privacy Policy

Terms of Service

AI Policy

Advertise with Us

© 2025 ABS-CBN Corporation. All Rights Reserved.

NPC Seal of Registration

Privacy Policy

Terms of Service

AI Policy

Advertise with Us

© 2025 ABS-CBN Corporation. All Rights Reserved.