Ton of suspected shabu in Pangasinan waters totals P6.8-B in 4 days | ABS-CBN
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Ton of suspected shabu in Pangasinan waters totals P6.8-B in 4 days
Published Jun 09, 2025 10:50 AM PHT
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Updated Jun 09, 2025 03:04 PM PHT
The Philippine Coast Guard retrieves suspected shabu from Pangasinan waters. Coast Guard District North Western Luzon/Facebook
The Philippine Coast Guard retrieves suspected shabu from Pangasinan waters. Coast Guard District North Western Luzon/Facebook MANILA — Suspected shabu retrieved by the Philippine Coast Guard from waters off Pangasinan has reached a ton with an estimated street value of P6.8 billion as of June 8, the fourth day of the maritime patrol operation.
MANILA — Suspected shabu retrieved by the Philippine Coast Guard from waters off Pangasinan has reached a ton with an estimated street value of P6.8 billion as of June 8, the fourth day of the maritime patrol operation.
The coast guard deployed BRP Cabra, two high-speed response boats, and aerial drone surveillance to intensify maritime patrol operations in the vicinity waters.
The coast guard deployed BRP Cabra, two high-speed response boats, and aerial drone surveillance to intensify maritime patrol operations in the vicinity waters.
“We will not halt our recovery efforts until every sack is secured. The Ilocos region must not be allowed to become a corridor for transnational crimes. We will not let these criminal elements further endanger the lives of fellow Filipinos,” said Captain Mark Larsen Mariano, Commander of Coast Guard District North Western Luzon (CGDNWLZN).
“We will not halt our recovery efforts until every sack is secured. The Ilocos region must not be allowed to become a corridor for transnational crimes. We will not let these criminal elements further endanger the lives of fellow Filipinos,” said Captain Mark Larsen Mariano, Commander of Coast Guard District North Western Luzon (CGDNWLZN).
PCG said this could already be the largest maritime drug seizure in recent Philippine history.
PCG said this could already be the largest maritime drug seizure in recent Philippine history.
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The Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency said the large quantity of illegal drugs suggests that the Philippines could have been used as a transshipment point.
The Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency said the large quantity of illegal drugs suggests that the Philippines could have been used as a transshipment point.
“We are very accessible. If you would look at the map, napaka-accessible ng Philippines to other country, and we are also a fast coastline. Marami silang pwedeng pagdaanan kaya ‘yan ang naisip nilang gawin,” said PDEA spokesperson Joseph Frederick Calulut.
“We are very accessible. If you would look at the map, napaka-accessible ng Philippines to other country, and we are also a fast coastline. Marami silang pwedeng pagdaanan kaya ‘yan ang naisip nilang gawin,” said PDEA spokesperson Joseph Frederick Calulut.
He said the contraband likely came from a large transnational drug syndicate, which was under investigation.
He said the contraband likely came from a large transnational drug syndicate, which was under investigation.
The local contacts of the syndicate may have failed to retrieve the packages due to strong waves and rough sea conditions brought about by bad weather, Calulut said.
The local contacts of the syndicate may have failed to retrieve the packages due to strong waves and rough sea conditions brought about by bad weather, Calulut said.
“This syndicate does not just transact by small numbers. We are looking at more,” he said.
“This syndicate does not just transact by small numbers. We are looking at more,” he said.
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He noted that that the packaging and overall signature of the seized drugs were consistent with those manufactured in the "Golden Triangle" region — Myanmar, Thailand, and Laos.=
He noted that that the packaging and overall signature of the seized drugs were consistent with those manufactured in the "Golden Triangle" region — Myanmar, Thailand, and Laos.=
“Signature kasi ‘yan ng mga droga na manufactured doon sa golden triangle area. Based on the packaging na nakuha, not only ‘yong dito. According to our international counterparts, ang tinuturo nila na source niyan is sa golden triangle,” Calulut said.
“Signature kasi ‘yan ng mga droga na manufactured doon sa golden triangle area. Based on the packaging na nakuha, not only ‘yong dito. According to our international counterparts, ang tinuturo nila na source niyan is sa golden triangle,” Calulut said.
The operation began on June 5, when fisherfolk found seven sacks of suspected methamphetamine hydrochloride or shabu from the Pangasinan coastline.
The operation began on June 5, when fisherfolk found seven sacks of suspected methamphetamine hydrochloride or shabu from the Pangasinan coastline.
PCG found 22 sacks of illegal drugs on June 6, and another 13 sacks on June 7.
PCG found 22 sacks of illegal drugs on June 6, and another 13 sacks on June 7.
Apart from Pangasinan, two sacks of illegal drugs were also found by local fishermen in Ilocos Sur, said the Coast Guard District North Western Luzon (CGDNWLZN).
Apart from Pangasinan, two sacks of illegal drugs were also found by local fishermen in Ilocos Sur, said the Coast Guard District North Western Luzon (CGDNWLZN).
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The PCG lauded the fishermen who surrendered the sacks of illegal drugs they found.
The PCG lauded the fishermen who surrendered the sacks of illegal drugs they found.
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