R79-million cocaine recovered in Isabela

Law enforcement authorities the other day recovered an estinated R79 million worth of cocaine in the coastal village of Dipudo, Divilacan, Isabela.

Senior Inspector Jonathan Ramos, Divilacan police chief, said several residents discovered a plastic container at around 5 p.m on Monday, and believed it contained gasoline.

Upon inspection, they saw a white ctystalline substance and informed the police.

On Tuesday evening, the Philippine National Police Crime Laboratory in Tuguegarao City examined the contents of the 18 transparent plastic bags of the white substance confirmed it was cocaine, said Ramos.

Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) officials in Cagayan Valley said that the recovered cocaine was 18,842 grams, with estimated street value to R79 million.

Ramos said, the recovered items were similar to the cocaine recovered in Matnog ,Sorsogon.

“Parang malayo na na-travel ng container may lumot na at tinubuan ng talaba, at maaring ito rin itong may kinalaman sa naintercept ng PDEA na drug cartel from Mexico papunta ng Hong kong (It ap- pears that the container drifted for quite a distance since sea weeds and shells have already adhered to it),” Ramos told the Manila Bulletin.

Meanwhile, Chief Supt. Jose Mario Espino, Cagayan Valley regional police director, ordered all town police chiefs and residents to be on alert for the presence of similar contraband in the area.