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P104.7M worth of floating shabu found in Cagayan waters — PDEA

Authorities have intercepted another wave of floating illegal drugs off the coast of Cagayan, with the latest haul of methamphetamine hydrochloride, or shabu, amounting to over P104.7 million in street value. According to the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA), a sack containing 15 plastic packs of suspected shabu—roughly 15 kilograms and valued at ?102 million—was discovered on June 16 between the territorial waters of Babuyan Island and Gonzaga, Cagayan. The following day, June 17, a separate 400-gram package of the same substance, worth ?2.72 million, was found floating between Camiguin Island and Cape Engaño in Barangay San Vicente, Sta. Ana, Cagayan. The illegal drugs were turned over to combined personnel from PDEA Regional Office II (RO 2) and the Philippine National Police (PNP) Regional Office 2 (PRO 2) by concerned local fisherfolk who found them at sea. 'The honest acts of fishermen, the prompt response and proper turnover of the floating contraband to authorities, and the steady sea surveillance and patrolling, are all part of a holistic approach to curb the flow of illegal drugs in the coastal areas of Cagayan Province,' said PDEA Director General and Undersecretary Isagani R. Nerez. "We do not want these dangerous substances to fall into the clutches of the wrong people.' Undersecretary Nerez highlighted the role of the PNP's 'Project: SPIES' — Strengthening Port Interdiction to Enhance Security — a security initiative led by the Cagayan Police Provincial Office under Police Brigadier General Antonio Marallag Jr. The project focuses on securing maritime borders and ports against drug trafficking. 'We cannot simply overlook the value of the contribution of Project: SPIES and its implementing police officers,' Nerez emphasized. 'In tandem with PDEA, they have provided much heightened vigilance and increased law enforcement efforts on the lookout for the remaining floating contraband.' So far, all floating drug recovery incidents have occurred in the waters of Luzon. Authorities believe the drugs were offloaded at sea and meant to be collected by designated recipients. 'An in-depth investigation is currently underway to determine the place of origin of the recovered shabu,' Nerez said, noting that ocean currents may have pushed the contraband into Philippine waters. Ilocos Norte In a related incident, a kilo of shabu worth ?6.8 million was found by a resident along the shoreline of Barangay Pasaleng in Pagudpud, Ilocos Norte on June 17. The package was also turned over to local authorities. PDEA continues to appeal to the public for cooperation. "If and when you stumble upon any of the floating contraband, do not hesitate to report it to the authorities. Doing so will help shield our communities from the sinister ways of illegal drugs,' Nerez urged. The agency also reminded the public that possession of prohibited drugs, regardless of intention, is punishable under Philippine law. — Sherilyn Untalan/RSJ, GMA Integrated News