4 days ago
Coast Guard seizes P1.7B worth of suspected shabu in Pangasinan
The Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) has seized P1.7 billion worth of suspected shabu recovered by local fisherfolk in the vicinity waters of Pangasinan.
In a statement, the PCG said the sacks found by the fishermen in the area contained sealed packs of crystalline substances, suspected to be methamphetamine hydrochloride commonly known as "shabu."
The Coast Guard said a local fisherman in Barangay Balingasay, in Agno, Pangasinan first discovered two sacks floating around 32 nautical miles west of Agno.
As the day progressed, four more sacks were recovered in different locations: two by another fisherman and one in Barangay Guiguiwanen, Bolinao; one at Cabana Resort in Bani; and an additional sack in Sabangan Boboy, Agno, all in the province of Pangasinan.
'The proactive incident reporting and law enforcement operation resulted from the PCG's intensified community engagement with local fisherfolk to improve maritime surveillance in the country's waters,' the PCG said.
Following the seizures, the Coast Guard District Northwestern Luzon Commander, Captain Mark Larsen Mariano, directed all PCG stations and substations to intensify coastal security patrols and increase community engagement with local fisherfolk to improve maritime surveillance and ensure prompt reporting of similar incidents.
'The PCG encourages local fishermen and other maritime stakeholders to report any suspicious floating packages or activities to the nearest Coast Guard station for appropriate action,' the PCG said. — Llanesca T. Panti/RSJ, GMA Integrated News
