Fisherman finds cocaine worth P19 million in Eastern Samar waters | Pinakabagong Balita sa Pilipinas

Fisherman finds cocaine worth P19 million in Eastern Samar waters — A fisherman recovered P19.3 million worth of cocaine, weighing 3.64 kilograms, off the coast of Hernani, Eastern Samar, on Thursday, the Police Region...

A fisherman recovered P19.3 million worth of cocaine, weighing 3.64 kilograms, off the coast of Hernani, Eastern Samar, on Thursday, the Police Regional Office 8 (PRO-8) reported on Friday, August 15, 2025. Stock image/INQUIRER FILES

A fisherman recovered P19.3 million worth of cocaine, weighing 3.64 kilograms, off the coast of Hernani, Eastern Samar, on Thursday, the Police Regional Office 8 (PRO-8) reported on Friday, August 15, 2025. Stock image/INQUIRER FILES

TACLOBAN CITY—A fisherman recovered P19.3 million worth of cocaine, weighing 3.64 kilograms, off the coast of Hernani, Eastern Samar, on Thursday, the Police Regional Office 8 (PRO-8) reported on Friday.

The 52-year-old fisherman from Barangay Carmen was fishing at 11:45 a.m. when he spotted several tightly wrapped packs floating in the sea.

Sensing the items could be illegal drugs, he brought them ashore and personally reported the find to the Hernani Municipal Police Station (MPS) at about 12:10 p.m.

Police, in coordination with barangay officials, secured six packs of the suspected substance and sent them to the Regional Crime Laboratory based in Palo, Leyte.

On Friday, forensic examination confirmed the contents to be cocaine with an actual weight of 3,643.422 grams.

PRO-8 director Brig. Gen. Jason Capoy commended the fisherman’s decisive action, calling it a clear example of effective police-community cooperation.

“Through timely reporting and cooperation between residents and our police personnel, we can intercept dangerous substances before they pose a threat to our people,” Capoy said in a statement.

Authorities are conducting follow-up investigations to trace the source of the contraband and determine if it is connected to previous cocaine “brick” discoveries in Eastern Visayas waters.

READ:Bundles of cocaine found anew in waters off Samar Island

This is not the first time fishermen in Eastern Samar have recovered floating cocaine. In 2024, a fisherman from Barangay Tangbo, Arteche, retrieved 21,105 grams of cocaine valued at P111.85 million from the sea, which was later turned over to authorities.

PRO-8 continues to urge the public to remain vigilant and immediately report any suspicious items or activities to the nearest police station, underscoring the shared responsibility in maintaining peace, order, and public safety in the region./coa

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