CONNECTED TO ILLEGAL DRUGS FOUND IN ZAMBALES

AUTHORITIES recovered a total of six sacks containing suspected shabu, discovered in two separate incidents by fishermen, off the coasts of Bolinao and Agno on June 5.

Initially, three fishermen reported finding five sacks containing white crystalline substance suspected to be methamphetamine hydrochloride or shabu, while fishing approximately 30 nautical miles west of Bolinao.

Fisherman Rodelio Degano, 45, first recovered two white sacks, followed by Mark Anthony Suarez, 27, who found one white sack, then Edwin Puda, 39, who recovered two white sacks.

All five sacks contained vacuum-sealed transparent plastic packs with Chinese markings. Upon reaching shore, the fishermen sought assistance from barangay officials, who then coordinated with authorities.

The recovered items were officially turned over to the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) Region 1.

Initial estimates place the total weight of the suspected shabu at 130 kilograms, with a street value of approximately ₱884 million.

Later the same day, another group of fishermen – Racoles Tamayo, 50, Juan Cullo, 43, and Efren Laulita, 28 – from Agno town discovered one white sack floating 19 nautical miles west of their community.

The three were onboard a motorized banca returning from a fishing trip when they noticed the floating sack containing several silver and black plastic packs labeled with foreign characters and the words “Freeze-dried Durian.”

Similarly, they reported their find to barangay officials, and a response police team along with personnel from the Maritime Group Dasol conducted the recovery.

Meanwhile, 50-year old fisherman Jerry Caracas found approximately 25 kilograms of suspected shabu worth about P170 million floating in the sea and turned these over to authorities in Bani.

The reports were confirmed by Retired Major General Isagani Nerez, chief of PDEA, in an interview over Aksyon Radyo Pangasinan Friday morning, saying the contrabands may have been “jettisoned” in a vessel trapped in stormy weather due to the southwest monsoon or habagat.

He also confirmed the packs found in Pangasinan are connected to the earlier recovery of some 100 sacks of suspected shabu off the waters of neighboring Zambales.

Earlier in the day, during a press briefing at Camp Oscar Florendo in La Union, Police Brig. Gen. Lou Evangelista, regional police director, reported the drug-related accomplishments so far this year, including the arrest of over 600 suspects and the seizure of substantial quantities of shabu and marijuana.

He emphasized their continuous coordinated efforts with other law enforcement agencies to address the illegal drug trade. (Eva Visperas/Ahikam Pasion)

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