Colombian nabbed over P8.5-M liquid cocaine seized at Port of Clark

MABALACAT CITY, Pampanga, Philippines — Authorities arrested a Colombian national on Tuesday night in connection with some P8,522,000 worth of liquid cocaine seized on June 21, at the Port of Clark.

In a statement on Wednesday, June 26, the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) Region 3 said suspect Santiago Francisco Sopo, alias “Antonio Cordero,” 32, was arrested during a controlled delivery operation in San Antonio village in Makati City around 9:30 p.m.

PDEA-Region 3 (Central Luzon) said Sopo was set to receive the shipment at his residence along Barangay San Antonio.

“The liquid cocaine originated in Colombia [and] was concealed in a shipment that raised suspicions during routine inspection at the port. The discovery of the drugs prompted PDEA to launch a controlled delivery operation targeting the consignee in Makati City,” the agency said.

The parcel initially arrived at the Port of Clark last June 21. Anti-drug agents inspected the shipment and found liquid cocaine from Colombia, prompting authorities to launch the operation against Sopo — the consignee in Makati City.

Among the items discovered and confiscated inside the parcel were 1,350 milliliters or three bottles containing liquid cocaine, as well as two identification cards and a phone.

Operatives also confiscated two ID cards and the mobile phone used by the Columbian in communicating with PDEA agents who pretended to be delivering the package consigned to him.

PDEA Central Luzon, PDEA National Capital Region, PDEA Intelligence, Bureau of Customs-Port of Clark, and the police conducted the operation.

Sapo is now under police custody and will face complaints for violating section 4 (importation of dangerous drugs) of Republic Act 9165 or the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002.