The Philippine National Police (PNP) reported the recovery of suspected illegal drugs worth more than P26 million after several packages washed ashore along the coastline of San Vicente, Palawan, over the weekend.

In Camp Crame, Quezon City, PNP Chief Police Lt. Gen. Jose Melencio Nartatez Jr. said the seizure prevented the possible distribution of a large volume of narcotics and underscored the importance of heightened vigilance in coastal areas frequently exploited by drug syndicates.

At around 8:22 a.m. on 26 December, personnel from the San Vicente Municipal Police Station, together with the Palawan Police Provincial Office, responded to reports of suspicious packages found along the coastal area of Danlog, Sitio Gawid, Barangay Caruray.

The items were initially discovered by a group of youths who were swimming in the area, prompting authorities to secure the site and conduct a retrieval operation.

Police recovered 31 vacuum-sealed transparent plastic packs containing suspected marijuana kush, with a total estimated weight of 21.97 kilograms.

The seized drugs have a standard market value of P26,364,000, according to police estimates.

Authorities said the recovered items were secured at the police station and are scheduled for laboratory examination by the Palawan Forensic Unit to confirm their contents.

Nartatez said the operation reflects the PNP’s Focused Agenda, particularly its priority on Enhanced Managing Police Operations, which emphasizes rapid and coordinated responses to illegal activities.

“This operation shows how vigilance and immediate police action can stop illegal drugs before they reach our communities,” Nartatez said. “Recoveries like this send a clear message that illegal drugs have no place in our country.”

The PNP said it continues to strengthen its anti-illegal drugs campaign while working to protect vulnerable coastal communities, reiterating its commitment to its vision of a “New PNP for a New Philippines: Service that is fast, honest, and felt by the people.”