BOC nabs Turkish national with P29-M cocaine

A customs officer inspects the boxes of soap where the powdered cocaine was found. Powder and liquid cocaine worth P28.85 million were seized from a Turkish national at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport, the Bureau of Customs says on Wednesday, March 22, 2023. Photo from BOC

The Bureau of Customs (BOC) seized almost P29 million worth of powder and liquid cocaine from the luggage of a Turkish national who arrived from Dubai on Tuesday. Customs Commissioner Bien Rubio said the illegal drugs were seized from suspect Kemal Ozenir, who was arrested upon his arrival at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (Naia) via Emirates flight EK 332. Rubio said the cocaine confiscated from the suspect was worth P28.8 million. The suspect’s luggage was inspected after the Naia-Inter-Agency Drug Interdiction Task Group was tipped off by the Homeland Security of possible drug smuggling into the country. The illegal drugs were found concealed inside several pieces of soap labeled Giorno Bagno. The cocaine in powder form weighed more or less 3,945 grams while the white liquid substance weighed more or less 1,500 ml. —Tina G. Santos