Manila, Jan. 23 -- A 30-year-old female overseas Filipino worker (OFW) was arrested Thursday night at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) Terminal 3 in Pasay City after authorities found PHP43.4 million worth of suspected cocaine inside her luggage.

In a statement on Friday, the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) said the suspect, alias Vane, a domestic helper, arrived from Sao Paulo, Brazil, with a connecting flight to Doha, Qatar around 7:20 p.m. Thursday.

An inspection of the suspect's black luggage uncovered a hidden compartment where authorities found some 8.19 kilograms of white powdery substance suspected to be cocaine.

Also recovered were non-drug evidence, including a Philippine passport, two boarding passes, ...