PDEA seizes P321.98M worth of suspected shabu off Cagayan
In a statement, PDEA said two local fishermen turned over an estimated 45.6 kilos of suspected methamphetamine hydrochloride or shabu they found floating off the coast of Barangay Centro 6, Claveria, Cagayan, early morning of June 15, Sunday.
PDEA said the illegal drugs consisted of 50 plastic packs of gold tea bags labeled "DAGUANYIN" with markings of Chinese characters and has an estimated street value of ?312.8 million.
Two days earlier, around one kilogram of floating suspected shabu worth ?6.8 million was also recovered in the waters off Sitio Narvacan, Barangay Dilam, Calayan, Cagayan during a seaborne patrol operation by local authorities.
Later during the same day, a fishermen and a barangay kagawad surrendered one pack of floating shabu weighing approximately 750 grams worth ?5.1 million at Sitio Mingay, Brgy. San Juan, Sta. Praxedes, Cagayan.
"The swift response and coordinated efforts of multiple law enforcement agencies ensured the safe recovery and proper documentation of the illicit substances," PDEA said.
The operation was a joint collaboration of elements of the PDEA, the Philippine National Police and the Philippine Coast Guard.
All recovered suspected shabu packs were turned over to PDEA Regional Office 2 Laboratory Office for qualitative and quantitative examination.
PDEA Director General Undersecretary Isagani Nerez, for his part, lauded the local fisherfolks from Zambales, Pangasinan, Ilocos Sur, Ilocos Norte, and Cagayan, who all surrendered their suspected shabu find.
"They have done something good that inspires others to follow suit. We applaud the integrity of these fishermen," Nerez said.
"Their courage sets an example for every Filipino. It is clear that public vigilance can be one of our strongest defenses against any evil ploy of drug syndicates," Nerez added.
In addition, PDEA said they are now conducting an in-depth investigation on the origin and intended recipient of the recovered contraband that were intentionally offloaded at sea while intensified surveillance and maritime patrols in Northern Luzon are also ongoing.
"PDEA continues to urge citizens to report any suspicious activities and become part of the country's fight against illegal drugs," the agency said in a statement. —Llanesca Panti/AOL, GMA Integrated News
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