Duterte: International drug syndicates behind ‘floating cocaine’

MANILA, Philippines — President Rodrigo Duterte on Wednesday said the cocaine packages found floating in different provinces onfirmed the presence of big-time international drug cartels in the country.

“The news that you hear every day about the floating drugs all around the country is that really we have confirmed that Sinaloa and Medellin cartels are in the trade now. It has always been cocaine from Mexico,” Duterte said in his speech during the ceremonial signing of the Universal Healthcare Act.

The Sinaloa drug cartel is a big-time drug syndicate in Mexico while the Medellin cartel is a Colombian syndicate founded by drug lord Pablo Escobar.

Several blocks of cocaine amounting to almost P500 million were recovered off the waters of Camarines Norte, Siargao, Dinagat islands, and the Quezon province in recent days.

READ: PNP eyes two drop-off points of floating cocaine blocks

Last week, Duterte said the country was already fighting a “global war” on drugs, citing the supposed operation of Sinaloa syndicate and its ties with Asia’s equally notorious Bamboo Triad. /ee

READ: Duterte warns foreign drug syndicates

RELATED VIDEO