P20M Suspected Cocaine Found Floating Off Palawan Coast, PNP Says

An estimated P20 million worth of suspected cocaine was found floating along the coast of Rizal, Palawan on Monday afternoon, the Philippine National Police (PNP) confirmed.

Police authorities recovered around two kilos of suspected cocaine worth P20 million off the coastal waters of the municipality, according to a statement from the PNP.

How the Drugs Were Discovered

The discovery was made after local fishermen spotted three bricks wrapped in plastic floating near the shoreline. The fishermen brought the items to the attention of barangay officials, who then alerted the police.

The PNP commended the fishermen for their prompt action in reporting the suspicious packages to authorities.

Fishermen Alert Authorities

The PNP lauded two fishermen for reporting to authorities the three suspected bricks of cocaine they found floating off the coast. The fishermen were identified as residents of Barangay Rizal, Palawan.

Police said the fishermen noticed the packages while fishing in the area. They immediately turned the items over to the local police station.

We commend the vigilance of the fishermen and the community for their cooperation in this significant recovery, the PNP said in a statement.

Official Confirmation and Investigation

The PNP-Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG) confirmed the recovery of the suspected cocaine. The estimated value of the drugs is based on the current street price of cocaine in the country.

Investigators are now conducting tests to confirm the exact composition and purity of the substance. The packages have been turned over to the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) for further analysis.

Possible Source and Route

Authorities are exploring the possibility that the cocaine bricks may have been part of a larger shipment jettisoned by smugglers to evade detection. Palawan is a known transit point for drug trafficking due to its proximity to international waters and neighboring countries.

Philippine Coast Guard and Navy personnel have been alerted to increase patrols in the area. Investigators are also checking if other similar packages may be in the water.

Context of Drug Seizures in Palawan

This is not the first time suspected cocaine has been found floating off Palawan. In recent years, local fishermen and residents have reported similar discoveries along the province's coastline. Officials attribute these incidents to the continued activity of transnational drug syndicates using sea routes.

The PNP said it is coordinating with the Coast Guard and the National Intelligence Coordinating Agency (NICA) to identify possible sources and trafficking networks.

Community Vigilance Praised

The success of the recovery was credited to the quick response of the fishermen and barangay officials. The PNP urged other communities along Palawan's coast to remain alert and report any suspicious items found at sea.

Police said the case is now under investigation, and no arrests have been made so far. Officials are also looking into whether the drugs were intended for domestic markets or were meant to be smuggled abroad.

The PNP said it will continue to work with other law enforcement agencies to prevent illegal drugs from entering the country through Palawan's waters. Authorities expect to release more details once laboratory tests on the suspected cocaine are completed.