The National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) has apprehended an alleged member of a West African syndicate who was involved in distributing the illicit substance known as “black cocaine.”
During a press conference on Tuesday, NBI spokesperson Giselle Dumlao announced that the NBI Task Force Against Illegal Drugs (TFAID) detained Benjamin Mosuke in Dasmarinas, Cavite.
“His arrest was a result of a follow-up operation against the supplier of illegal drugs of the previous arrested subjects identified as Marissa Eusebio and Vanessa Alviar who were arrested in Parañaque City on August 12, 2023 for an attempt to transport 3.15 kilograms of cocaine,” said Dumlao.
As per Glen Juego’s report on Super Radyo dzBB, the NBI confiscated chemicals and equipment utilized in producing illicit substances, along with cocaine worth P20 million, from Mosuke’s residence.
Mosuke was reportedly associated with a West African syndicate.
TFAID Commander Ross Jonathan Galicia revealed that the “black cocaine” had been camouflaged to resemble biscuits and cookies.
“First, they will concoct the drugs into something like a biscuit or kaya candy bar wherein the drugs are embedded doon sa chocolate. And then they’re going to package it like a legal chocolate bar or cookie,”
“This is the first time… we were able to seize black cocaine in the Philippines,” he later added.
Alleged West African ‘black cocaine’ supplier nabbed
Meanwhile, Dumlao stated that they have lodged drug-related charges against Mosuke.
“This morning, subject Mosuke was charged before the City Prosecutor’s Office in Dasmarinas City while subjects Eusebio and Alviar were presented for inquest proceedings before the City Prosecutor of Paranaque City last August 25,” she said.
Galicia explained that among the individuals involved, one of the females functioned as a recruiter, while the other female was identified as Mosuke’s live-in partner.
“The live-in partner kasi, she was just instructed to deliver the cocaine. ‘Yung isa, talagang siya ‘yung nag re-recruit nung mga Filipinos para maging drug courier dito sa atin to deliver drugs abroad,” he said.
The NBI also mentioned that their efforts are directed towards locating the recruited couriers. Typically, these couriers are unemployed Filipinos.
“I think it is a good opportunity to warn yung ating mga kababayan na kapag may mga nag re-recruit sa kanila at may mga ipapadalang package at bibigyan sila ng bayad ay magdalawang isip sa pagdala nito,” Dumlao said.
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