A total of ₱133 million worth of suspected illegal drugs was recovered by police authorities on November 18 in coastal areas of Linapacan, Palawan, the Philippine National Police (PNP) said Thursday.
According to the report, joint personnel from the Linapacan Municipal Police Station, Provincial Police Drug Enforcement Unit, and Provincial Intelligence Unit responded to a call from a concerned resident of Barangay Maroyog-royog. The informant said a certain alias “Benjo” discovered packages believed to contain illegal drugs along the coastline of Sitio Calelenday.
The PNP said responding teams confirmed the presence of several boxes wrapped in black tape and marked with the word “STONE,” scattered along the shoreline. The boxes contained suspected cocaine with an estimated total weight of 25,210 grams and a standard drug price of ₱133,613,000.
“The role of the citizens here is extremely important. With just one call, we were able to stop this before such a large amount of drugs could destroy lives. This is how policing works when there is clear coordination and quick action,” Acting PNP Chief Police Lt. Gen. Jose Melencio Nartatez Jr. said, expressing appreciation for the community’s prompt action.
PNP spokesperson Police Brig. Gen. Randulf Tuaño also emphasized the importance of continuing proactive measures in remote areas.
“We cannot allow syndicates to use the coasts and islands as drop-off points. Every recovery, like this one, denies criminals the opportunity to distribute illegal drugs in our communities,” he said.
Recovered evidence has been turned over to the Palawan Provincial Forensic Unit and will be forwarded to the PDEA Palawan Office for proper handling and disposition.
The PNP reiterated its commitment to sustaining aggressive operations and strengthening public cooperation in line with the directives of President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr., who continues to emphasize that a safer, more secure, and drug-free Philippines is a top priority.
