Don’t keep, sell cocaine bricks, fishermen told

The Philippine National Police (PNP) yesterday warned fishermen not to keep cocaine bricks they fish out from the sea.

Senior Superintendent Bernard Banac, PNP spokesman, said these cocaine bricks should be immediately turned over to authorities.

Banac warned the public against selling illegal drugs for easy money, saying they face charges for violation of Republic Act 9165 or the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act.

“Kung kay matutukso na sumama sa ganitong ilegal na gawain ay huwag nyo po ituloy,”

Banac said. A brick of cocaine weighing 989.2 grams and valued at P5.2 million was washed ashore in Barangay Bagumbayan, Paracale, Camarines Norte on Sunday.

Chief Inspector Malou Calubaquib, Bicol police spokesperson, said a certain Norly Soriano, who claimed he saw the cocaine brick wrapped in plastic along the seashore, turned over the cocaine brick.

Cocaine bricks valued at around P5.4 million were fished out from the waters off Vinsons, Camarines Norte on Feb. 12.

Last week, cocaine bricks valued at almost P500 million were recovered off the coast of Dinagat and Siargao islands.

At least 48.2 kilos of cocaine were recovered in the waters off Barangay Poblacion in Dinagat while another 40 kilos were retrieved in the waters off Barangay Pacifico in Siargao.

Chief Superintendent Gilbert Cruz, Caraga police director, said the recovered drugs could be worth P1 billion, citing results of an international survey that a gram of cocaine is worth 225 euros.

Authorities said the cocaine bricks could have been dumped in the water for recovery by drug dealers.

An investigation is ongoing to determine where the cocaine bricks originated.

Coast Guard vessels

Meanwhile, the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) deployed two of its vessels as it intensified its monitoring in the eastern seaboard amid reports of cocaine smuggling.

“This could be a diversionary tactic. That is why all districts... have been told to be on alert because drug syndicates may be dropping off illegal drugs... They should be on alert for possible sightings of illegal drug operations,” PCG spokesman Capt. Armand Balilo said.

Balilo said PCG commandant Admiral Elson Hermogino ordered all districts and stations to coordinate with fishermen in the area and encourage them to report to authorities anything suspicious or if they have information on illegal operations.

The PCG is conducting maritime security patrol in coordination with the Philippine National Police.