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Turkish traveler yields P29-M cocaine concealed in soap boxes

By Ferdinand Patinio

March 22, 2023, 11:19 am

<p><strong>'FRAGRANT' DISCOVERY.</strong> Customs officers at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) examine the luggage owned by Turkish national Kemal Ozenir (center) who brought in PHP28.8 million worth of cocaine concealed in soap boxes on Tuesday (March 21, 2023). Authorities also confiscated from the suspect one Turkish passport, two boarding passes, one Turkish national ID card, and one State of Qatar residency permit ID card.<em> (Photo courtesy of BOC-NAIA)</em></p>

'FRAGRANT' DISCOVERY. Customs officers at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) examine the luggage owned by Turkish national Kemal Ozenir (center) who brought in PHP28.8 million worth of cocaine concealed in soap boxes on Tuesday (March 21, 2023). Authorities also confiscated from the suspect one Turkish passport, two boarding passes, one Turkish national ID card, and one State of Qatar residency permit ID card. (Photo courtesy of BOC-NAIA)

MANILA – A Turkish national was arrested Tuesday at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) by the Bureau of Customs (BOC) after being caught carrying an estimated PHP28.8 million worth of powder and liquid cocaine in his check-in luggage on board a flight from the Middle East.

Customs Commissioner Bienvenido Rubio on Wednesday identified the suspect as Kemal Ozenir, who arrived from Dubai on Tuesday afternoon via Emirates flight EK 332.

An inspection of the traveler's luggage yielded cocaine in powder form, weighing about 3,945 grams, concealed in 22 small boxes of soap labeled Giorno Bagno and 1,500 ml. of a white thick liquid substance in two bottles. Their current street value is PHP28,858,500.

Authorities also confiscated assorted clothes and shoes, one Turkish passport, two boarding passes, one Turkish national ID card, one State of Qatar residency permit ID card, and one mobile phone.

The physical examination of the suspected luggage at the Customs International Arrival Area in NAIA was conducted by an assigned Customs examiner, together with an on-duty agent from the Customs Intelligence and Investigation Service (CIIS) and other BOC personnel, while the initial test was done by the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA).

Rubio received the report from CIIS Director Verne Enciso based on information received by the NAIA - Inter-Agency Drug Interdiction Task Group (NAIA-IADTG) from the United States Department of Homeland Security.

“After the NAIA-IADTG received the information, immediately we are on the lookout for this person and his luggage. An initial test done on the luggage showed it was positive for the presence of cocaine. The information we received and the quick action we took to stop the contraband’s entry led to the capture of the suspect in this case,” he said in a statement.

On the other hand, Deputy Commissioner for Intelligence Group Juvymax Uy said the suspect is being investigated by proper authorities.

“This particular seizure underscores how brazen individuals have become to try and bring illegal drugs on board flights. And while it also highlights the bigger battle we have against the dangers of illegal drugs being out there on the streets, it also shows the resolve of our Customs officers in upholding the bureau’s border security mission and deny this smuggling attempt,” Uy said. (PNA)

 

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