Cocaine in chocolate canister seized at Naia

Instead of chocolate, authorities found cocaine pellets in a container concealed in the bag of alleged drug courier, Malaysian tourist Nasiruddin Bin Mohd Hasnan. —contributed photos

A 22-year-old Malaysian was arrested at Ninoy Aquino International Airport on Monday after he tried to smuggle into the country 4.6 kilos of high grade cocaine worth P23 million.

Nasiruddin Bin Mohd Hasnan now faces charges of violating Republic Act 9165 or the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002.

Immigration Commissioner Jaime Morente said that the 4.6 kilos of cocaine were in pellet form. A total of 216 pellets were hidden inside a canister of chocolates found in the suspect’s carry-on luggage.

Before Nasiruddin’s arrival in Manila at 4:50 p.m. Monday, the Naia drug interdiction task force received a tip from the US Drug Enforcement Agency about a drug courier who would be coming in from Togo.

Based on immigration records, the suspect arrived on Ethiopian Airlines flight ET628 from Togo where he stayed for a day. Before that, he flew from Kuala Lumpur to Addis Ababa.

When his flight arrived at Naia Terminal 1, authorities started monitoring Nasiruddin after they spotted him at the immigration counter.

“He did not have checked-in luggage. The task group decided to allow a controlled delivery to determine who will pick up the subject at the airport. Around 7:30 p.m., the task group decided to arrest him when he hailed a taxi,” Morente said.

According to Bureau of Immigration spokesperson Tonette Mangrobang, Nasiruddin denied knowledge of the contraband in his luggage.

Based on the bureau’s records, it was the first time he was in Manila.

“This was his first time to travel to the country and he claimed to be working as a car wash boy,” Mangrobang said.

Nasiruddin also told authorities that he bought the chocolates during a trip to Bangkok, adding that he did not know there were drugs hidden inside the canister.