Pekan: Police discovered a bag containing more than 16 kilogrammes (kg) of cocaine, estimated to be worth RM7.31 million, washed ashore along the coastal area of Pantai Tanjung Gosong in Pekan, yesterday.

According to BERNAMA News Agency, Pahang police chief Datuk Seri Yahaya Othman stated that the discovery followed a public tip-off. Subsequently, a team from the Pahang contingent's Criminal Investigation Department (CID) conducted an inspection at the location at 2.45 pm.

Further inspection revealed that the bag contained 14 compressed black packages labelled 'stone', believed to be cocaine, with an estimated weight of 16.263kg. In addition, there were six other packages whose contents had already dissolved, he explained during a press conference at the Pahang contingent police headquarters.

Initial investigations indicated that the bag had been in the sea for some time before washing up on the shore, as evidenced by the condition of several packages that had dissolved. A witness has been called in to assist with the investigation, and police are gathering further information on the case.

Yahaya mentioned that the current market value of the drugs is estimated at RM450,000 per kg. He noted that the quantity seized could potentially affect more than 80,000 drug users if it were to be distributed into the market.