Fishermen Recover 34 Packs Suspected Shabu in Ilocos
In Vigan City, Ilocos Sur, local fishermen discovered 34 packs of suspected shabu drifting in the West Philippine Sea near Santa Cruz municipality, about 84 kilometers south of the provincial capital. Authorities quickly responded to the discovery, valuing the contraband at an estimated P231 million. Each pack weighed roughly one kilogram.
Details of the Recovered Shabu Packs
Among the recovered items, 22 packs remained intact while three were melted. These intact packs bore labels reading “Freeso-dried Durien,” featuring pictures of durian fruit, and were collectively valued at P149 million. Meanwhile, 12 other packs were found inside a black plastic bag, marked with “Refined Chinese Tea” and the Chinese characters for “Daguanyin.” These were worth around P81 million.
Provincial police chief Police Colonel Darnell T. Dulnuan, along with barangay officials and members of the Philippine Coast Guard, witnessed the thorough inventory, marking, and documentation process conducted by the Provincial Forensic Unit. Dulnuan has urged police chiefs of coastal towns in Ilocos Sur to work closely with the Maritime Group and the Coast Guard to boost surveillance efforts.
Local leaders praised the vigilance and cooperation of the fishermen who spotted the packages and reported them promptly. This incident highlights the ongoing challenges coastal communities face in preventing the illegal drug trade from entering their shores.
For more news and updates on suspected shabu recovery, visit Filipinokami.com.