NBI seizes P10-M cocaine from Thailand-bound teacher

MANILA, Philippines - The National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) seized 2.25 liters of liquid cocaine in two shampoo bottles from a teacher as she was about to board a flight for Thailand at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) Terminal 1 last March 11, officials said yesterday.

NBI Director Magtanggol Gatdula said in a press conference that Carmelita Daisy Bustamante, 45, a resident of Tagum City in Davao, was arrested at the NAIA while transporting the liquid cocaine. She works as a teacher in Cambodia.

Two other women – Maria Britannica Diño, 28; and Vietnamese Than Thuy Ngoc, 26 – were arrested in follow-up operations.

Gatdula and Vice President Jejomar Binay said this is the first time that law enforcers seized liquid cocaine.

“This is a new modus operandi, and this is the first in the country– when liquefied cocaine was discovered and confiscated,” the NBI said, adding that while it is possible that liquid cocaine may have been smuggled into the country, it is the first time they have seized the drug in this form.

The NBI said cocaine has a street value of about P5,000 per gram in the country.