Fishermen surrender P312.9 M worth of shabu they discovered along Cagayan coastline
By Chito Chavez
(MB FILE PHOTO)
Two fishermen surrendered on Sunday, June 15, around P312.8 million worth of suspected shabu which they reportedly found floating along the coast of Claveria, Cagayan, the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) said.
PDEA Director General Isagani Nerez said the suspected illegal drugs were wrapped in 50 plastic packs of gold tea bags labeled ‘DAGUANYIN’ with Chinese character markings.
Nerez commended the fishermen for their integrity and courage in surrendering the illegal drugs: “It is clear that public vigilance can be one of our strongest defenses against any evil ploys of drug syndicates.’’
Two days earlier, the PDEA said that approximately one kilogram of floating shabu worth P6,800,000 was also recovered in the waters of Sitio Narvacan, Barangay Dilam, Calayan, Cagayan during a seaborne patrol operation by local authorities.
Later in the afternoon, a fisherman and a barangay kagawad surrendered one pack of floating shabu weighing approximately 750 grams worth P5.1 million in Sitio Mingay, Barangay San Juan, Sta. Praxedes, Cagayan.
“The swift response and coordinated efforts of multiple law enforcement agencies ensured the safe recovery and proper documentation of the illicit substances,’’ the PDEA noted.
Nerez said all recovered shabu packs were turned over to PDEA Regional Office II Laboratory Office for qualitative and quantitative examination while the three fishermen and a barangay kagawad were praised for their honesty and courage in promptly reporting the incident.
“Local fisherfolks from Zambales, Pangasinan, Ilocos Sur, Ilocos Norte, and now Cagayan, who all surrendered their shabu find, are planting the seeds of honesty and integrity in their communities,’’ the PDEA added.
Authorities are now conducting an in-depth investigation on the origin and intended recipient of the recovered contraband that were intentionally offloaded at sea with surveillance and maritime patrols in Northern Luzon being intensified to deter the entry of illegal drugs using the country’s coastlines.
The PDEA also called on the public anew to report any suspicious activities and become part of the country’s fight against illegal drugs.