Police nab fisherman who allegedly hid bricks of cocaine

April 12, 2019

Police arrested a fisherman on Wednesday who had turned over 34 bricks of alleged cocaine after finding out he hid some of them.

Police Brigadier General Gilbert Cruz, Caraga regional director, on Friday said arrested was Ronie Navales, 48, of Tandag City, Surigao del Sur.

Navales was called a “Good Samaritan” after turning over blocks of cocaine last February 23 but he became a subject for surveillance after police received reports cocaine were being sold in the area.

“Navales intentionally kept six bricks of cocaine, thinking he would gain bigger money by selling it to drug users,” Cruz said in a statement.

Cruz said the suspect sensed he was a subject for police operation and turned over four bricks of cocaine.

He informed police that the two bricks were flushed in the toilet bowl.

“Let us not be blinded by the greed of money for it will only bring trouble to you and your family,” said Cruz.

“This serves as warning to those who recovered bricks of cocaine and are planning not to surrender these to the authorities. You can never hide from the long arm of the law,” he added.

Navales is under custody of Tandag City police station for proper disposition and filing of charges while the cocaine bricks were given to Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency Caraga region office last Thursday.

Navales will face charges for violating Section 11 of Republic Act 9165 or the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002. Ella Dionisio/DMS