CAMP FLORENDO, San Fernando City, La Union –The Philippine Coast Guard recovered seven sacks containing 173 packs of suspected shabu valued at P1.1 billion floating on the West Philippine Sea in Pangasinan on Thursday, June 5.
P1.1-B shabu recovered in West Philippine Sea in Pangasinan
AUTHORITIES conduct an inventory of suspected shabu recovered by fishermen on the West Philippine Sea in Pangasinan. (PCG photo)
The PCG said a fisherman from Barangay Balingasay discovered two sacks floating approximately 32 nautical miles west of Agno.
These were secured in a fisherman’s residence before turnover to authorities.
Five more sacks were recovered, two by another fisherman, one in Barangay Guiguiwanen, Bolinao, one in Cabana Resort in Bani, and one in Barangay Sabangan Boboy, Agno.
These were subjected to K-9 inspection but yielded negative results due to the triple-layered vacuum-sealed packaging.
All these were properly handled and documented.
A chemist from the Pangasinan provincial police office in Lingayen conducted an initial assessment of the recovered items.
Coast Guard District Northwestern Luzon commander Capt. Mark Larsen Mariano ordered all Coast Guard stations and sub-stations to intensify coastal security patrols following the discovery.
They were directed to strengthen community engagement with local fisherfolk to enhance maritime surveillance and ensure prompt reporting of similar incidents.
The PCG noted that these efforts are part of an ongoing campaign to secure the country’s maritime borders against illegal drug trafficking.
Authorities encouraged the public to report any suspicious floating packages or maritime activities to the nearest Coast Guard station. (With a report from Freddie Lazaro)