Colombian nabbed over P8.5-M liquid cocaine seized at Port of Clark
![Colombian nabbed over P8.5-M liquid cocaine seized at Port of Clark](https://globalnation.inquirer.net/files/2024/06/Colombian-8.5M-liquid-cocaine-26june2024-e1719389654797.png)
8.5M worth of liquid cocaine seized from Colombian national | PHOTO: Official Facebook page of PDEA Region III
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.
![Colombian nabbed over P8.5-M liquid cocaine seized at Port of Clark](https://globalnation.inquirer.net/files/2024/06/Colombian-8.5M-liquid-cocaine-26june2024-3-e1719389577368.png)
8.5M worth of liquid cocaine seized from Colombian national | PHOTO: Official Facebook page of PDEA Region III
“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.
![Colombian nabbed over P8.5-M liquid cocaine seized at Port of Clark](https://globalnation.inquirer.net/files/2024/06/Colombian-8.5M-liquid-cocaine-26june2024-2-e1719389523262.png)
8.5M worth of liquid cocaine seized from Colombian national | PHOTO: Official Facebook page of PDEA Region III
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.