Ilocos Norte Police Recover Large Shabu Shipment
A kilo of shabu worth approximately P6.8 million was recovered off the coast of Pagudpud, Ilocos Norte, authorities confirmed Monday morning. The Ilocos Norte Police Provincial Office said the seizure was made after a local fisherman spotted a floating plastic package about two miles from the Pasaleng shoreline around 10:30 a.m. The package bore markings resembling a durian fruit, Chinese characters, and the number “66.”
Authorities quickly alerted the Regional Border Control and the Pagudpud police station. The seized package is now under the custody of the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) in Ilocos Norte for proper handling and disposal. This latest recovery highlights the ongoing efforts of the Ilocos Norte Police to combat illegal drug trafficking in the region.
Multiple Recoveries in Northern Philippines
Since June 2, fisherfolk in Zambales, Ilocos Sur, Ilocos Norte, and Pangasinan have recovered more than 1.3 tons of shabu with an estimated street value near P9 billion, officials said. Just on Sunday, PDEA reported another haul of 45.6 kilograms of shabu found floating in Barangay Centro 6, Claveria, Cagayan. The drugs were packed in 50 gold tea bags labeled “Daguanyin” with Chinese characters, valued at around P310 million.
International Syndicate Linked to Drug Dumping
According to sources, the dumps are linked to an international crime syndicate known as Sam Gor. This group operates across the Asia-Pacific region, including the Philippines, and is believed to control 40 to 70 percent of the regional shabu market. The syndicate’s annual profits reportedly exceed $17 billion. Besides shabu, they traffic heroin, ketamine, synthetic drugs, and precursor chemicals.
Heightened Patrols and Community Cooperation
In response, Ilocos Norte police have intensified seaborne patrols and launched information campaigns among coastal communities. Police Brig. Gen. Lou Evangelista urged locals, “We encourage our coastal communities to coordinate with the police who are monitoring our coastlines. If ever they found one, please surrender (it) immediately.”
President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. has ordered the immediate destruction of all recovered illegal drugs to prevent them from reaching the public.
For more news and updates on drug busts, visit Filipinokami.com.