34 cocaine bricks found off Surigao Sur

MANILA, Philippines — Thirty-four cocaine bricks with an estimated value of P170 million were recovered in the waters off Tandag City in Surigao del Sur yesterday morning.

The cocaine bricks were found by two fishermen, floating near Barangay Bungtod, according to Senior Superintendent Bernard Banac, spokesman for the Philippine National Police (PNP).

The fishermen, who have heard from the news about the recovery of cocaine bricks on various beaches in the country, sought the help of the authorities.

Caraga police director Chief Superintendent Gilbert Cruz inspected the drugs in the presence of Tandag Mayor Alexander Pimentel.

The bricks were sealed with electric tape and marked with dollar signs similar to those found on Dinagat Island last week.

Each block weighs more than a kilo. A kilo of cocaine is worth P5 million, according to the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency.

Cruz attributed the recovery of the cocaine to an awareness campaign that the police launched in the region.

Fisherfolks and residents have been urged to report suspicious bricks in exchange for a sack of rice for every brick of cocaine they would recover.

The drugs were brought to the Caraga police headquarters in Butuan City for examination.

Banac hailed the fishermen for reporting their find to the authorities.

“The PNP commends the good deed of two peace-loving Filipinos for the recovery,” Banac said in a text message to The STAR.