INDIAN RIVER COUNTY — A package suspected to contain cocaine – and weighing more than a kilogram – washed ashore along Round Island Beach Park last month, deputies said. It was unclear where the bundle originated.
“The substance has not been identified, but the size, wrappings and look are consistent with illegal narcotics,” said Kevin Jaworski, a spokesperson for the Indian River County Sheriff’s Office.
The discovery happened during a beach cleanup event hosted by Coastal Connections, an environmental nonprofit based in Vero Beach. The event was part of an international coastal cleanup, where more than 1,000 volunteers gathered at 25 different sites and removed about 4,000 pounds of trash from Indian River County’s beaches, coastlines and waterways.
Some of the trash included plastic bottle caps, foam, fragments, plastic film and cigarette butts, according to Coastal Connections.
Up to 30 volunteers cleaned up debris about 10 a.m. on Sept. 20 at Round Island Beach Park, located in the 2200 block of South Highway A1A, said Olivia Redding, rescue and research coordinator with Coastal Connections. A Port St. Lucie man and firefighter, who was there as a volunteer, spotted the package in the sand about a half mile south of the park and dialed 911.
The bundle was heavily wrapped with yellow tape. Deputies collected the item.
Jaworski said the bundle will not be field tested.
“The item was placed into our evidence to be destroyed,” Jaworski said.
Coastal Connections has conducted 30 beach clean ups – in both public and private areas – so far this year, Redding said. The nonprofit plans to complete up to four more beach clean ups this year.
Jaworski said the public should use caution if they come across any suspicious packages while at the beach.
“Do not attempt to touch, move or disturb the item since the unknown substance could be harmful,” Jaworski said. “Report anything suspicious to the sheriff’s office.”
