Two fishermen found a brick of cocaine valued at P5.3 million floating on the sea in Barangay Bongtud, Tandag City, Surigao de Sur on Friday, March 1.
Police said the cocaine brick weighing around one kilogram was discovered by fishermen Junjie M. Villaver, 36, and Paciano P. Villalba, 28, residents of Barangay Bongtud, Tandag City while they were fishing.
Surigao del Sur Gov. Alexander Pimentel rewarded the two fishermen cash and a sack of rice for reporting their discovery to the Tandag City Police Station.
Police Regional Office-13 Director Police Brig. Gen. John Kirby Kraft commended the two fishermen for their honesty.
The recovered cocaine was placed under the custody of the Surigao del Sur Police Provincial Office-Provincial Drug Enforcement Unit and will be examined by the Regional Forensic Unit-13.
Kraft urged the people to report suspicious items floating at sea.
"I urge everyone, particularly those residing in coastal areas, to promptly report any suspicious items that may wash up on the shore or float in the sea to the nearest police station. The public should be aware that they will end up in jail if they are caught in possession of the cocaine.”