Fisherfolk find PHP20.4M shabu in Ilocos Norte

Fisherfolk in Ilocos Norte recovered three packs of methamphetamine hydrochloride, commonly known as shabu, with an estimated street value of PHP20.4 million.

The illegal drugs, each weighing at least three kilograms and marked with Chinese characters, were found drifting along the coastlines of Pangil, Currimao; La Paz, Laoag City; and Masintoc, Paoay.

These seized narcotics were turned over to a joint operation involving the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) Ilocos Norte Provincial Office, the Philippine Coast Guard, and the Philippine National Police on June 12 and 13.

Malacañang praised the bravery and civic-mindedness of the fisherfolk for recovering and surrendering the illegal drugs.

Presidential Communications Office Undersecretary Claire Castro stated, "Mga ordinaryong mamamayan, katuwang ng pamahalaan, pamarisan sana ng nakakarami ang inyong katapangan at kabayanihan. Saludo po kami sa inyo."

This incident follows a previous large-scale seizure in Zambales, Bataan, Ilocos Sur, and Pangasinan where 66 sacks containing nearly 1.3 metric tons of shabu, valued at PHP8.8 billion, were discovered on June 10.