ZAMBALES, Philippines – A fishing vessel carrying an estimated 1.5 tons of suspected shabu worth P10 billion was intercepted in the waters off Zambales early Thursday, June 20, in a high-level joint maritime operation between the Northern Luzon Naval Command (NOLCOM) and the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA).
According to Naval Forces Northern Luzon commander Rear Admiral Alfonso Torres Jr., the vessel was intercepted in Scarborough Shoal following days of maritime surveillance and intelligence coordination. The operation led to the arrest of seven foreign nationals, believed to be involved in transnational drug trafficking.
The seized shabu was packed in tea bags and hidden in compartments of the fishing boat. Authorities said the contraband may have originated from the Golden Triangle, a known hub for large-scale narcotics production in Southeast Asia.
“This is one of the largest drug hauls in recent years, and it shows the persistence of international drug syndicates to use our waters as transshipment points,” Torres said.
The suspects and the seized contraband were brought to Naval Operating Base Subic for custody, documentation, and further investigation. PDEA is now working with international counterparts to trace the origin and destination of the illegal drugs.
Authorities believe the syndicate behind the operation could be linked to Asia-Pacific drug networks that use Philippine maritime routes to smuggle methamphetamine into the country and beyond.
This latest interdiction follows a string of “floating shabu” seizures earlier this year off the coast of Cagayan and Aurora, signaling what officials fear is a resurgence in maritime-based drug smuggling.
PDEA and the Navy vow continued joint operations to secure the country’s territorial waters.