Fishermen find PHP1.5B shabu off Masinloc, turn over to authorities

Ten fishermen from Bataan discovered ten sacks of shabu worth around PHP1.5 billion floating in the waters off Masinloc, Zambales on May 29.

The fishermen turned over the illegal drugs to authorities at 4:05 pm Monday when they returned from their fishing activity after securing them aboard a grounded barge in Mariveles, Bataan out of fear for their safety.

Inside the sacks were 223 vacuum-sealed plastic packs containing shabu, confirmed by Philippine Coast Guard K9 units and PDEA agents.

The total weight of the seized drugs was 222.655 kilograms with an estimated market value of PHP890 million to PHP1.5 billion.

Coast Guard Station Bataan coordinated with PDEA-Bataan for on-site assessment, confirming that the recovered items were illegal drugs.

PDEA Regional Office 3 ordered a probe into the origin of the drugs and is collaborating with other law enforcement agencies in Bataan and Zambales.