South Africa routes ‘red flag’ for drugsMANILA, Philippines — Following the recent arrest of drug couriers at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA), several routes from South Africa were tagged as “red flags” by the police Aviation Security Group. Avsegroup spokesman Lt. Col. Harold Tosino said some of the suspects who were apprehended at the NAIA came from Johannesburg, the largest city in South Africa. “South Africa is considered a source of illegal drugs,” Tosino said. From Feb. 11 to 15, illegal drugs valued at P138.53 million were intercepted at the NAIA from foreigners and a Filipina suspected to be drug couriers. A large shipment of illegal drugs and counterfeit pharmaceuticals were seized in the operation, the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) said.

Source: Philippine Star February 23, 2026 17:32 UTC