Louisiana Beachgoers Warned – Dangerous Objects Washing Up on Popular Beaches

(KMDL-FM) This weekend is one of the biggest beach weekends of the year. Other than Labor Day weekend, which is unofficially summer's last "hurrah," this weekend is more of a mid-summer celebration of heat, humidity, sand, and dangerous objects washing up on the sand just a few feet from where your child made a sand castle.

We all know the beach for the fun adventure that it can be. But, truth be told, there are a lot of dangers just beyond the line where the water soaks into the sand. Of course, you've got your typical beach dangers of sunburn, stinging creatures, and too much sand in your personal space.

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But for the most part, those are "annoyances" and not real dangers. Most of us would consider a rip current to be a real danger, and there is a possibility that some of your favorite Alabama and Florida Beaches could have flags flying regarding rip currents over the next several days.

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A contributing factor to the rip current risk would be the area of disturbed weather the National Hurricane Center is monitoring just off the Florida Panhandle this week. That system could create higher wave volume and bring a threat of showers and storms to what is supposed to be your sunny relaxation.

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There is another danger that local law enforcement officials in both Alabama and Florida are warning beachgoers about, too. That danger floats ashore in the form of suspicious-looking packages. This past Sunday, a visitor to a beach in Walton County, Florida, uncovered some 25 packages, later to be confirmed as bricks of cocaine.

Law enforcement agencies up and down the coast urge you not to touch any of these packages if you see them washed up on a beach. Since you don't know what is inside the packages, you could be placing your life at risk by handling them.

It's safer and simpler to dial 911 and report your findings to the nearest local authority. In the case of the Walton County packages, they were collected by Walton County Sheriff's deputies and taken to the evidence room. The street value of the drugs was estimated to be about half a million dollars.

Meanwhile, in Baldwin County, Alabama, the sheriff's office reported a suspicious package washed up on a beach there on Thursday. The package was also found to contain cocaine and weighed about 110 pounds. Officials estimate that the haul was worth $1.5 million on the streets.

Again, the advice is not to touch if you see something suspicious wash up on the beach. First, it could be deadly to you; second, the guys who own the stuff could be watching you, and third, you could find yourself involved in a criminal investigation if you attempt to "take home a souvenir". All of those are bad outcomes. Instead, do this at the beach; it's a lot more fun.