PNP finds PHP9B worth of drugs floating off Luzon

The Philippine National Police (PNP) reported on Tuesday that illegal drugs worth over PHP9 billion have been found floating off parts of Luzon's waters since June 2.

Brigadier General Jean Fajardo, a PNP spokesperson, announced the latest discovery of 25 kg. of shabu in Magsingal, Ilocos Sur on Monday, bringing the total to 66 sacks containing 1,297.911 kilograms of shabu.

Fishermen from Zambales, Bataan, Ilocos Sur, and Pangasinan have recovered these drugs; those in Bataan have already been given PHP100,000 each by their local government and rice from the PNP as incentives for their assistance.

Fajardo emphasized that these seizures are among the largest made at sea and highlighted the need for enhanced joint coastal patrols with other maritime authorities to combat drug trafficking.

The Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) identified Sam Gor, an international crime syndicate primarily responsible for the dumping of 1.2 tons of shabu off Luzon's waters, as a major player in this illegal activity.