PNP, PDEA seize P127M worth of cocaine off Palawan
Police and drug enforcement agents have seized more than P127 million worth of suspected cocaine in Palawan, the latest in a series of maritime drug recoveries in local waters.
The Philippine National Police said on Tuesday that roughly 24 kilograms of cocaine were recovered during a joint operation with the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA).
The drugs, found along the Palawan coastline, were secured and turned over to the PNP’s provincial forensic unit for testing before being forwarded to PDEA for proper disposition.
Authorities are investigating the source and intended destination of the drugs, which they believe may be tied to transnational narcotics networks using local coastal routes as drop-off points.
The latest recovery came as acting PNP chief Lt. Gen. Jose Melencio Nartatez Jr. ordered the Maritime Group to strengthen patrols in coastal areas following the recovery of P19.2 million worth of drugs in the West Philippine Sea.
On Oct. 22, Nartatez said in a statement that he had instructed police units to intensify patrols after authorities found 16 kilograms of suspected high-grade marijuana in the waters off Escoda (Sabina) Shoal.
He was referring to a series of recoveries in June, when about P8.8 billion worth of illegal drugs were found in packages floating off Central Luzon and the Ilocos Region.
PNP spokesperson Brig. Gen. Randulf Tuaño said the seizure underscores the importance of coordination between law enforcement agencies in intercepting drug shipments before they reach local communities.
“Every successful operation like this shows that teamwork works,” Tuaño said in a statement. “The PNP will not let up in protecting our coastal borders and keeping our communities safe from illegal drugs.”
