DAVAO CITY (February 26) — A fisherman from the coastal town of Davao Oriental was happy, when he felt something heavy caught his net while sailing on Sunday, February 24, all along he thought it was a school of fish, but it turned out to be cocaine bricks amounting to P232,109,000.
The fisherman whose name remains confidential told his neighbours, he thought he could earn big while he was pulling his net in the waters of Santiago, Caraga, Davao Oriental, but it turned out 36 boxes of “something he did not know.”
The fisherman immediately informed the police that he found 36 boxes of “unknown” package.
Immediately, the policeman inspected the catch, which turned out to be cocaine.
Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency regional director Antontio Rivera revealed, the discovery of 36 bricks of cocaine last Sunday. But on Monday, February 25, another four was found, one was opened, maybe because of the water current.
Rivera said the Dangerous Drugs Board placed the value of cocaine at P5300 per gram.
Chief Supt. Marcelo Morales, regional director of Police Regional Office 11, suspected that the cocaine may have originated from drug syndicates based in Colombia or Mexico.
This is the sixth time bricks of cocaine were fished out of the waters in various parts of Luzon and Mindanao regions.
Philippine National Police (PNP) Chief Oscar Albayalde earlier alerted all his units, particularly the maritime group, to be vigilant, saying there is a possibility that more cocaine bricks will be recovered in the country’s coastlines.
Morales added the bricks of cocaine found in Caraga, which is at least 260 kilometers from Davao City, has similarities in terms of packaging with the ones recovered in Dinagat Island, Surigao del Norte and Surigao del Sur in the last two weeks.
The elements of Coast Guard, Philippine Navy, according to Rivera, is working with them and the PNP to investigate the source of said cocaine.
The Coast Guard had monitored the entry of at least 20 vessels sailing the sea waters of Davao Oriental, Dinagat and Surigao del Sur which is now part of the investigation.
Morales said the bricks of cocaine were similar to the 34 bricks found floating off the waters of Surigao del Sur based on the packaging.
“These are subject of our investigation. We have to determine the source and origin,” Morales said.
Rivera, however, said the bricks found in Caraga appeared to be new, while the ones found in Surigao del Norte and Dinagat provinces two weeks ago already have moss on the boxes.
Rivera said he cannot discount the possibility that the bricks were intentionally dumped.
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Morales said residents should immediately report any discovery of illegal drugs, or face legal consequences.
Caraga Mayor Alicia Mori, thanked the fisherman for being honest and cooperative with the anti-drugs effort of the government.-Editha Z. Caduaya/NewsLine.ph
