THE NATIONAL Bureau of Investigation (NBI) arrested three individuals last week for transporting 3.3 kilos of cocaine, hidden in five children’s books, which were intended to be brought to Brazil via Thailand. In a press statement on Monday, NBI Director Dante A. Gierran identified the individuals as Ma. Clara Q. Bedico, Alvin J. Avila, and Antonette R. Mendiola. The three were presented Monday for inquest proceedings before the Department of Justice for violations Section 11 (Possession of Dangerous Drugs) and Section 5 (Transportation of Dangerous Drugs) in relation to Section 26 (Conspiracy to Transport Drugs) of the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002. According to the NBI, Ms. Bedico just landed at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport and went to a nearby fastfood to meet Mr. Avila, who would assist her in rebooking her plane ticket. They were arrested on March 28. Upon further investigation, the NBI found that the two were set to meet Ms. Mendiola in a motel in Pasig City for securing the luggage of Ms. Bedico. She was arrested on March 29. The NBI said the operation revealed that the Western African Drugs Syndicate recruit Filipinos to be couriers through “work abroad scheme posted in Facebook.” — Vann Marlo M. Villegas

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