A brick of suspected cocaine worth around P5.3 million was found by fishermen in Tandag City while suspected shabu worth nearly P2.4 million was seized during a buy-bust operation in Surigao City.

In Tandag City, police said the two fishermen found the suspected cocaine while fishing in the waters off Barangay Bongtud.

The fishermen reported the find immediately to the police and the brick was placed under the custody of the Surigao del Sur Police Provincial Office.

The brick, which weights about a kilo, will be subject for examination by the Regional Forensic Unit-13.

The provincial government gave the two fishermen cash reward and sacks of rice.

Police Regional Office-Caraga (PRO-13) Director, Brigadier General Kirby John Kraft, urged residents living in the coastal areas to report any suspicious bricks they may found.

"I urge everyone, particularly those residing in coastal areas, to promptly report any suspicious items that may wash up on the shore or float in the sea to the nearest police station. The public should be aware that they will end up in jail if they are caught in possession of the cocaine,” Kraft said.

Meanwhile, in Surigao City, Operatives of the Surigao del Norte Provincial Drug Enforcement Unit arrested a 51-year-old man after he was allegedly found with 21 sachets of suspected shabu weighing around 352 grams during a buy-bust operation.

The suspected shabu is worth nearly P2.4 million.

Authorities said the suspect was tagged as high value individual in the illegal drug trade and was included in the police’s top priority target list.

The suspect is now detained and will face charges.

“He will be charged with violation of RA No. 9165 or the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002. We will also investigate if the suspect has cohorts in the illegal drug trade,” Kraft said.