MAGSINGAL, Ilocos Sur – More packs of suspected shabu are turning up on the West Philippine Sea west of this province.
Fishermen from Barangay Puro in this town recovered 19 more packs of shabu worth P129 million placed in a sack while fishing on the West Philippine Sea on Thursday morning, June 27.
MORE packs of shabu are turning up in Ilocos Sur. Photo shows the latest discovery – 19 packs on Thursday morning in Magsingal. (Board Member Efren Rafanan FB)
Police Capt. Rodel Ragasa, Magsingal chief of police, said that fishermen brought the contraband to the chairman of Barangay Puro for documentation and testing.
Random testing conducted by the Ilocos Sur Provincial Forensic Unit confirmed the white crystalline substance therein as shabu.
This was the fourth batch of shabu found by fishermen on the coastal waters of this province and Ilocos Norte since Monday, June 24.
A total of 79 packs of shabu with Chinese markings have been found.
Sixty packs were earlier discovered – 24 weighing 24 kilos worth about P162 million in Barangay Solotsolot, San Juan, Ilocos Sur on June 24; 18 weighing 18 kilos valued at P122 million in Barangay Villamar, Caoayan, Ilocos Sur on Wednesday morning, June 26; and 18 weighing 18 kilos in Currimao, Ilocos Norte valued at P122 million on June 26.
Ilocos police director Police Brig. Gen. Lou F. Evangelista lauded the fishermen for their swift and responsible action in the campaign against illegal drugs.
“This incident highlights the importance of community involvement in combating the proliferation of illegal drugs,” he said.
Evangelista said that authorities are continuing their investigation to trace the source of the shabu and determine any possible connections to recent similar discoveries in the region.
“I am also appealing to the public, especially those in coastal communities, to remain vigilant and report any suspicious packages or activities to their nearest police station immediately,” Evangelista added.