Ilocos Police Urge Vigilance as Floating Shabu Discovered
CAMP FLORENDO, San Fernando City, La Union – Authorities in the Ilocos region have issued a strong warning after floating shabu was repeatedly found in the West Philippine Sea. Police Brig. Gen. Lou F. Evangelista, the Ilocos police chief, urged residents and visitors to stay alert and immediately report any suspicious items found along the shoreline. He also emphasized the importance of not tampering with such items.
In recent days, three kilograms of shabu valued at approximately P20.4 million were recovered from three different locations in Ilocos Norte. A local tourist discovered one pack hidden in a rock formation in Currimao last Thursday. The following day, two fishermen found similar contraband on beaches in Paoay and Laoag City.
Coastal Communities and Authorities Collaborate to Combat Drug Smuggling
The seized illegal drugs are now under the custody of the PDEA-Ilocos Norte Provincial Office, which is handling proper disposition. Evangelista noted that the police and their partners are maintaining continuous patrols and strengthening coordination with all coastal communities to detect and recover more floating shabu packages.
He expressed gratitude to the fishermen who promptly handed over the illegal substances to law enforcement agencies. “Their immediate and honest actions have been crucial in continuously intercepting this massive volume of illegal drugs from reaching our streets,” Evangelista said. “We are also working closely with PDEA and other partner agencies to trace the origin of these packages.”
Drug Traffickers Exploit Coastal Waters
The police chief pointed out that the repeated discoveries of floating shabu along the Region 1 coast suggest that drug traffickers might be using these territorial waters to smuggle illegal drugs into the country. These recent recoveries are believed to be linked to earlier finds in Pangasinan and Ilocos Sur.
Local leaders noted the need for heightened community vigilance and cooperation with authorities to prevent the spread of these dangerous substances. The continuous efforts of law enforcement and residents alike remain key to stopping the flow of illegal drugs.
For more news and updates on illegal drugs, visit Filipinokami.com.