18 packs of shabu recovered on West Philippine Sea in Ilocos Sur
CAMP FLORENDO, La Union – Eighteen packs of shabu were found by a fisherman on the West Philippine Sea in Barangay Villamar, Caoayan, Ilocos Sur on Wednesday morning, June 26.
The contraband was discovered two days after 24 packs of shabu were also found on the WPS in Barangay Solot-solot, San Juan, Ilocos Sur on Monday, June 24.
READ: https://mb.com.ph/2024/6/25/24-packs-of-suspected-shabu-found-floating-on-wps-in-ilocos-sur

A FISHERMAN discovered 18 packs of shabu on the West Philippine Sea in Ilocos Sur on Wednesday, June 26. (Photo via Freddie Lazaro)
Police Brig. Gen. Lou F. Evangelista, Ilocos police director, said in a press statement that the fisherman found a black sack floating on the sea while fishing.
The fisherman approached it and discovered 18 light blue plastic packages marked with Chinese characters containing suspicious white crystalline substance.
The fisherman brought the items to shore in Barangay Bia-o, Santa Maria, Ilocos Sur and reported his discovery to a retired police personnel who informed the acting municipal mayor of Santa Maria.
Santa Maria police coordinated with the Philippine Coast Guard based in Barangay Nalvo, Santa Maria, for joint search and retrieval operations, seaborne patrol, and search pattern and validation.
Initial tests conducted by the Ilocos Sur Provincial Forensic Unit said that the recovered items tested positive for shabu.
The exact weight and value of the contraband are yet to be confirmed.
Evangelista said they are conducting a follow-up investigation. “We are now on the process of determining any links to the 24 packs of shabu previously found floating in San Juan Bay, San Juan, Ilocos Sur,” he said.
Evangelista commended the fisherman for his vigilance and swift action in reporting the find and he is now being recruited as a barangay intelligence network personnel.
He lauded the prompt inter-agency coordination and response.
"The discovery of these additional 18 packs of shabu is crucial in our fight against illegal drugs. We are dedicated to thoroughly investigating the origin of these floating packages and ensuring the safety and security of our communities," he said.
He reiterated his call on residents of coastal communities in the Ilocos region to remain vigilant and report any suspicious findings to their nearest police stations immediately. (With a report from Liezle Basa-Inigo)