Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, November 1) — Police and drug agents seized a total of ₱5.3 million worth of cocaine in in the southernmost province the Philippine National Police said Monday.
The PNP said the operation in Sitangkai, Tawi-Tawi also led to the arrest of the suspect identified as Basid Daud, 49. The police did not indicate the date of operation.
It added that Daud may have obtained the cocaine through smuggled drugs through the southern backdoor.
“Patuloy na makikipag-ugnayan sa AFP [Armed Forces of the Philippines] at sa [Philippine] Coast Guard ang inyong PNP upang mapalakas ang pagbabantay sa karagatan at coastline ng ating bansa sa Tawi-Tawi at mga karatig na lugar dahil hindi natin inaalis ang posibilidad na ipinuslit papasok sa ating bansa ang mga nakumpisang cocaine na ito gamit ang southern backdoor,” said PNP chief Gen. Guillermo Eleazar in a statement.
[Translation: We will continue to coordinate with the AFP and the Philippine Coast Guard to strengthen the security of our waters and the country’s coastline in Tawi-Tawi. We cannot disregard the possibility that the seized cocaine was smuggled through the southern backdoor.]
Authorities also seized an M16 riffle from Daud.
