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PNP: There might be two drop-off points of cocaine in PHL
Authorities are looking into the possibility that there are two drop-off points of cocaine in the country, following the series of the discovery of floating bricks along shorelines.
"Ang isang posibilidad dito ay dalawa 'yung drop-off points," Philippine National Police (PNP) spokesperson Senior Superintendent Bernard Banac said at a press briefing on Tuesday.
"Meron doon sa bahaging itaas, meron doon sa bahaging ibaba."
He said close monitoring is being implemented in the eastern seaboards of Calabarzon, Bicol, Eastern Visayas, Caraga, and Davao regions.
Further, Banac said that the drug syndicates may possibly be employing undocumented crew and unregistered seacraft for the shipment.
A total of 90 kilos of cocaine amounting to P500 million have been recovered in the waters off the different provinces in the country, the latest of which was in Mauban, Quezon.
"Patuloy ang ating pag-aaral kung saan ang magiging aksyon ng ating mga kalaban na drug syndicate. Mapapansin natin na nasa eastern seaboard ang distraction so sa western side, bukas na bukas, walang pangyayari," Banac said.
"Itong western side, patuloy akong magmamanman dyan, lalo kong paiigtingin ang seguridad at intelligence dyan," he added.
"Napakalawak din ng karagatan na 'yan at daanan din 'yan, trans-shipment point 'yan at daanan din ng foreign vessels."
Banac said the PNP will beef up its coastal monitoring and mentioned that funds have already been allocated to procure speedboats and other maritime facilities that would be used to ensure that shipments of illegal drugs will not prosper.
In the meantime, Banac advised the coastal residents and fisherfolk to report any suspicious devices and packages which they may find off the waters and on shorelines.
Banac also said that the PNP is in close coordination with local and international counterparts to track down the source of the cocaine. —KBK, GMA News
