Aircraft in Laos drug bust didn’t enter PH airspace – CAAP

MANILA, Philippines — The private jet allegedly bound for Manila, which was flagged in Laos for carrying 521 kilograms of “shabu” (crystal meth), did not enter Philippine airspace, the Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines (Caap) said on Tuesday.

According to Caap, the Learjet 55, which bears a United States N73GP registration, has no record of entering the country.

“The Authority likewise found no record of flights under the aircraft’s registration in Philippine airspace within its available records,” it said in a statement.

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The aircraft is linked with the drug seizure at Luang Prabang International Airport last Oct. 1, which involved a Filipino passenger believed to be associated with a syndicate, the Bukit Aman Narcotics Crime Investigation Department earlier reported.

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READ: Filipino sought over alleged Laos-PH drug smuggling via private jet

The Caap said that the suspect’s flight date was revised three times, before it was set on Oct. 1.

The initial flight permit application bound for Manila, and onward to Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia was submitted on Sept. 24, it explained.

READ: PNP probes if seized Laos drugs bound for Manila

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The Philippine National Police (PNP) on Monday said it is coordinating with its Malaysian and Laotian counterparts to verify the cargo’s intended destination, as there is “no hard evidence yet”.

The PNP also said that it is looking into whether or not other Filipinos were involved.

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“CAAP reaffirmed its commitment to aviation safety and security in line with the directives of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. and Transportation Secretary Giovanni Lopez,” it said. /gsg