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PDEA: Chinese drug syndicate behind floating shabu recovered in PH waters
PDEA: Chinese drug syndicate behind floating shabu recovered in PH waters
By Chito Chavez
The “Chinese Drug Triad’’ is behind the dumping of more than one ton of shabu recently found by local fishermen drifting in the shores of Zambales, Pangasinan and Ilocos Sur, the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) said.
PDEA Director Isagani R. Nerez said the packaging of shabu packs recovered, tea bags with Chinese markings is a signature trademark associated with the Chinese Drug Triad.’’
"The triad gains notoriety by engaging all sorts of methods of drug smuggling, including the use of the high seas. They dump their illicit goods to be retrieved by local cohorts later. It's a good thing that our hero fishermen got there first before the drugs fell into the wrong hands,’’ Nerez said.
Nerez said 52 local fishermen have surrendered a total of 1,013 packs of suspected shabu to authorities so far, marking one of the country’s largest maritime hauls of illegal drugs in recent years.
As of 4 p.m., June 8, Nerez disclosed that joint operatives of the PDEA), PCG, PNP, Philippine Navy (PN), and National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) have recovered a total of P6,888,400,000 worth of shabu with an approximate weight of 1,013 kilograms based on preliminary estimates.
“A total of 39 turnover incidents were recorded, facilitated by fishermen and concerned locals. The latest count includes the contributions of 52 fishermen, with operational leadership and assistance from one police officer and one PCG personnel under the One Law Enforcement Action (OLEA) initiative,’’ the PDEA added.
The PCG and PN continue to patrol and conduct retrieval missions in nearby waters with the unwavering support of the localities of Agno, Bani and Bolinao of Pangasinan and Sta. Cruz of Ilocos Sur and surrounding coastal communities.
President Marcos has issued a directive for the immediate destruction of the recovered illegal drugs to ensure these harmful substances are removed from circulation and cannot threaten the safety of the Filipino people.
“These efforts will continue. We will pursue the key perpetrators behind this transnational crime, and bring them to justice. We remain vigilant on all fronts - land, air and sea to protect our communities from the scourge of Illegal Drugs,’’ Nerez assured.
This latest seizure follows a similar operation last May 29 in which P1.5 billion worth of floating shabu was recovered off the coast of Masinloc, Zambales, through the help of 10 local fishermen from Bataan.