‘Floating cocaine’ brick recovered in Aurora anew

Abrick suspected to be cocaine weighing a kilo was discovered by a construction worker along the shoreline of Baler, Aurora Sunday morning, the second brick to be recovered in the province.

The first brick was recovered last February 24 in Dingalan town, Aurora province.

Police Staff Sargeant Ymell Joseph Tangson, case investigator, said the brick was found by Ariel Valenzuela, 56, of Purok 3, Brgy. Reserva, Baler, Aurora.

Initial investigation revealed that elements of Baler Municipal Police Station (MPS) received a report from village officials about the discovery of the brick along the shoreline of Barangay Reserva around 5 a.m.

Barangay captain Michael Valenzuela surrendered the brick to the police for lab test.

According to Tangson, the brick weighs about a kilo and wrapped in a black rubber plastic with the “Lexus” marking similar to the bricks discovered in Paracale, Camarines Norte last February 16.

The Baler police conducted a follow-up operation on the coastal area following the discovery to check the shoreline for more bricks.

The Baler discovery is the latest in a series of “floating cocaine” discoveries since February 10.

Last month alone, at least 11 discoveries in the eastern seaboard of the country were reported to the police. Four more incidents were recorded last year, the Philippine National Police (PNP) said.

The 11 discoveries resulted in the seizure of at least 165 kilos of cocaine bricks estimated at 1872 million, according to Police Colonel Bernard Banac, PNP spokesman.

PNP chief, Police General Oscar Albayalde earlier theorized the cocaine bricks must have come from a ship bound for Australia.

The PNP has already coordinated with the Australian government.