P19.3 million cocaine found floating in Eastern Samar

MANILA, Philippines — Six packs of cocaine valued at P19.31 million were found floating in the waters off Hernani, Eastern Samar on Thursday.

The contraband was found shortly before noon by a fisherman who was sailing along the coast of Barangay Carmen, according to Brig. Gen. Jason Capoy, Eastern Visayas police director.

The fisherman brought his find ashore and reported it to barangay officials who contacted the municipal police.

Results of laboratory examinations showed the packages contained cocaine with a combined weight of 3.6 kilos.

Capoy said probers have yet to determine if the illegal substance was part of cocaine bricks that were found in the nearby town of Arteche in March 2024.