Thu | May 28, 2026

Large cocaine stash found at wharf

Published:Tuesday | March 25, 2014 | 12:00 AM
Philippines defence undersecretary, Pio Lorenzo Batino, left, and Ambassador Eric John, chair of the United States Negotiating panel, shake hands at the start of the seventh round of talks between the Philippines and the United States on the Enhanced Defence Cooperation between the two countries at the Armed Forces of the Philippines General Headquarters yesterday at suburban Quezon city, northeast of Manila, Philippines.

DAVAO, (AP):

A large stash of high-grade cocaine was uncovered in the Philippines when several hidden packets tumbled from the ceiling of a shipping container in a private wharf, officials said yesterday.

The find made Saturday totaled more than 50 kilograms (110 pounds) and an estimated worth about 300 million pesos ($6.7 million).

Mayor Rodrigo Duterte of Davao city said he believed the Philippines was a transit point for the drugs, which could be intended for more lucrative markets in the United States or Europe, and the government would seek Interpol help to determine the drugs' origin and destination.

Regional director Emerson Rosales of the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency said the cocaine, wrapped in plastic packs, was concealed in the container ceiling and accidentally tumbled down, revealing the illicit cargo.