This is the dramatic moment police arrested a suspected drug smuggled for allegedly supplying super-strength 'black cocaine' disguised as biscuits and cookies.

Officers raided the alleged drug laboratory in Dasmarinas City, Cavite province, where they arrested Ugandan national Benjamin Mosuke, who also went by the alias 'Ato'.

He is believed to have been part of a West African syndicate that was flooding Southeast Asia with the evil drug used in nightclubs and bars in wealthier neighbouring countries, including Thailand, Hong Kong and Singapore.

They seized dozens of bottles of various chemicals, raw materials, and drug paraphernalia inside his house, including the contraband passed off as chocolate and cookies.

Officials said they confiscated 20 kilogrammes worth around 20 million PHP (352,475 USD) of black cocaine from his residence following the raid on August 25.

National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) Task Force Against Illegal Drugs (TFAID) Commander Ross Jonathan Galicia said: 'First, they will concoct the drugs into something like a biscuit or candy bar wherein the drugs are embedded in the chocolate. And then they're going to package it like a legal chocolate bar or cookie.

'This is the first time we were able to seize black cocaine in the Philippines.'

NBI spokesman Giselle Dumlao said Benjamin is believed to be part of a West African syndicate that recruits cash-strapped Filipinos to smuggle cocaine.

In an August 29 press conference, she said his arrest came two weeks after two women linked to him were also detained for delivering the drugs.

Giselle said: 'His arrest was a result of a follow-up operation against the supplier of illegal drugs of the previous arrested subjects identified as Marissa Eusebio and Vanessa Alviar who were arrested in Paranaque City on August 12, 2023 for an attempt to transport 3.15 kilograms of cocaine.

'The live-in partner was just instructed to deliver the cocaine. The other is the one who recruits Filipinos to become drug couriers to deliver drugs abroad.'

The NBI said they are now tracking down the recruited drug mules.

Meanwhile, Benjamin was charged for violating Article II, Sections 5 and 11 of the Philippine Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002.

Black cocaine is a combination of a regular cocaine base mixed with other chemicals to mask its appearance and make it undetectable by drug-sniffing dogs. Because of its appearance, it is sometimes passed off as similar-looking items like toner, pigment, charcoal powder, or fertiliser.