Cagayan Valley cops on alert as floating shabu is discovered in Batanes
By Freddie Lazaro and Liezle Basa Iñigo
The Police Regional Office-2 is on alert following the discovery of floating shabu in Batanes on June 19 and other areas in the Cagayan Valley region this month.
Police Brig. Gen. Antonio P. Marallag Jr., PRO-2 chief, commended the fisherman who turned over the contraband for his honesty and integrity.
“This act of honesty and courage exemplifies the true spirit of community partnership that we aim to foster through Project S.P.I.E.S. By proactively engaging citizens and building trust at the grassroots level, we are not only securing our borders but also strengthening our fight against the drug menace,” said Marallag.
Project S.P.I.E.S. (Strengthening Port Interdiction to Enhance Security) created by Marallag aims to proactively secure Region 2’s coastal and port areas against smuggling, drug trafficking, and other transnational crimes by strengthening maritime interdiction, enhancing surveillance capabilities, promoting inter-agency collaboration, and mobilizing communities in intelligence-driven operations to create safer and drug-free coastal communities.
Marallag urged the people to report any suspicious items or activities to local authorities to ensure the safety and well-being of their community.
The fisherman surrendered one sack containing 25 vacuum-sealed plastic packs of suspected shabu valued at P170 million to the Batanes police on Wednesday, June 25.
Police Major Sharon C. Mallillin, the PRO-2 spokesperson, said the illegal drug was discovered in the sea of Sitio Malatanyud in Barangay Chanarian in Basco at about 5:30 p.m. on June 19.
Upon inspecting the contents and suspecting the items to be illegal drugs, he immediately informed his barangay chairman.
The items were turned over to the police six days later.
They were packed in three different types of packaging, which include transparent vacuum-sealed plastic, tea packs labeled Daguanyin refined Chinese tea, and transparent vacuum plastic bags.
The pieces of evidence is in the custody of the Basco Police Station and will undergo inventory, markings, and forensic examination in coordination with the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA).