Fishermen recover P21M worth of shabu off Zambales, Bataan

Local fishermen recovered more than P21.42 million worth of suspected 'shabu' (crystal meth) from waters off Zambales and nearby Bataan on Monday and Tuesday.

On Monday evening, eight fishermen in Barangay Matain, San Antonio, Zambales found two plastic bags containing approximately 1,800 grams of shabu, valued at P12.24 million, near Lubang Island.

Later that night, a fisherman from Barangay Camaya in Mariveles town, Bataan, discovered another bag with about 350 grams of shabu worth P2.38 million.

On Tuesday evening, three more fishermen from Barangay Matain found an additional batch of suspected shabu valued at P6.8 million and turned them over to authorities for further investigation.

The Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) Central Luzon has ordered a joint investigation by its offices in Zambales and Bataan to trace the source of the drugs and determine any possible connections between the incidents.

Fishermen have been commended by PDEA for their swift actions, which are vital in preventing dangerous drugs from reaching local communities.