Advance Passenger Info System Foils Cocaine Smuggling Attempt at NAIA

Commissioner Joel Anthony Viado 

Advance Passenger Info System Foils Cocaine Smuggling Attempt at NAIA

By Bing Jabadan – TheNationWeek.Com | October 28, 2025

MANILA, Philippines – The Bureau of Immigration (BI) Advance Passenger Information System (APIS) has once again proven its role in safeguarding the Philippines’ borders, following the arrest of a Brazilian national attempting to smuggle liquid cocaine into the country.

Acting on an alert received from US Homeland Security Investigations through the BI Anti-Terrorism Group, the BI APIS Operations Center flagged Brazilian national Elysa Cristyna Da Costa Pinheiro as a person of interest.

Pinheiro was subsequently apprehended upon her arrival at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport on Oct. 24 via Qatar Airways Flight QR932 from Doha.

The APIS system, which had previously identified Pinheiro as a potential drug courier, triggered an immediate alert upon her entry into the Philippines.

This enabled swift coordination between the BI ATG, NAIA Inter-Agency Drug Interdiction Task Group (IADITG), and Customs authorities.

The resulting interdiction operation led to Pinheiro’s arrest and the seizure of 1.899 kilograms of liquid cocaine, with an estimated street value of ₱10,064,700.

Immigration Commissioner Joel Anthony Viado lauded the successful operation, emphasizing the importance of early detection and seamless digital coordination in fighting transnational crime.

He thanked the Australian government for its continued support through the United Nations Office of Counter-Terrorism (UN OCT), which has been instrumental in strengthening the Philippines’ digital border management capabilities.

“This operation reaffirms our commitment to President Marcos’ vision of a modernized, technology-driven, and secure border management system,” said Viado.

“The APIS remains a powerful tool in our ongoing fight against international drug trafficking and other cross-border crimes, demonstrating our unwavering dedication to protecting our nation from these threats.”

The successful interception underscores the effectiveness of the APIS system in identifying and tracking potential threats before they even reach Philippine soil.

Viado said the BI would remain committed to leveraging technology and international partnerships to further enhance border security and protect the country from transnational criminal activities.