MANILA (Updated) -- Authorities received early Friday dawn 48 (not 37 as earlier reported) blocks of cocaine recovered by a fishermen along the shore of Dinagat Islands in Caraga.

In a report reaching Camp Crame, a fisherman identified as Gonie Curada surrendered the contrabands at the Cagdinao Municipal Police Station.

The fisherman found the cocaine in the shore in Purok 2, Barangay Poblacion on Tuesday afternoon, February 12.

The police said the blocks of cocaine were brought to the regional crime laboratory office in Butuan City for examination.

Philippine National Police spokesperson Senior Superintendent Bernard Banac commended Curada.

“The PNP commends the good deed of the fisherman for his active participation and vigilance in making his community safe. The recovered items of cocaine were brought to Regional Crime Lab,” Banac said.

Banac said follow-up investigation is still ongoing, including the estimated value of the confiscated illegal drugs.

On Sunday, February 10, two fishermen also found a block of cocaine wrapped in a brown paper bag along the waters off Barangay Sula, Vinzons town in Camarines Norte.

The recovered illegal drugs weighed 1,026.19 grams and had a street value of P5,438,807.

Banac said the connection of the two recovered illegal contrabands will be part of the investigation. (SunStar Philippines)