P12.5-M cocaine found in abandoned locker

MANILA, Philippines - Around 2.5 kilos of cocaine, with a street value of P12.5 million, were found in an abandoned locker in Quezon City Wednesday.

The cocaine was found in a ceramic container at a storage facility along EDSA in Barangay Veteran’s Village at around 5 p.m.

The locker is reportedly owned by American Corey Cornell Drew, according to Derrick Carreon, Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) spokesperson.

Drew was arrested in Perth, Australia in October 2016 for attempting to possess cocaine.

The Intelligence and Investigation Service, PDEA-International Cooperation and Foreign Affairs Service, and the PDEA National Capital Region Office acted on information received from the Australian Federal Police after Drew’s arrest.

Initial reports said five kilos of cocaine worth P25 million were recovered but it was later found that the other 2.5 kilos were of lidocaine, a dental anesthetic.

Carreon said it is possible that Drew operated multinationally, as he faced two counts of drug charges in Australia.

In the Philippines, Drew also faces charges for possession of dangerous drugs.