P543-M SHABU FISHED OUT OF ILOCOS SUR WATERS

AT least 80 tightly-sealed plastic packs containing  an estimated P543-million worth of shabu on Thursday were found floating in the waters of Ilocos Sur.

The black sack with 19 transparent plastic packets each containing a kilo of the suspected drugs were found by two fishermen in the waters of Sitio Nagpartian, Bgy. Puro in Magsingal, Ilocos Sur around 6 a.m. Thursday.

Police Regional Office 1 director Brig. Gen. Lou F. Evangelista said they have joined the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency in investigating the source of the “floating shabu.”

The official thanked the fishermen who immediately reported their discovery to authorities.

“We encourage everyone, especially those living along coastlines, to report any similar findings to their nearest police stations immediately,” said Evangelista.

A 20th plastic packet with the same substance was also recovered on the same day in the waters of Magsingal.

Another 24 packs containing the same substance were also found by fishermen in the waters of Bgy. Solotsot in San Juan municipality last Monday.

The two fishermen were on their way home on board their motorized banca when they spotted a floating plastic container attached to a round wood.

The fishermen inspected the container and found  out that it contained the plastic sack with the suspected drugs.

The contraband was worth at least P162.7 million.

Some 18 more packs were recovered by another fisherman in the waters of Bgy. Villamar in Caoayan municipality last Wednesday morning.

The same number of plastic packets with drugs were also found floating in the waters of Sta. Maria municipality.

Authorities said the recovered illegal drugs had Chinese markings.

Evangelista said they are investigating if a “mother ship” smuggled the drugs and dropped them in a designated point, where they will be picked up by much smaller boats.

“The sea condition in our area has been fine since the week started although there were some scattered rains. Thus, it is very possible that the people who will pick the contraband failed to reach them on time until the drugs were carried by the strong current to the north direction,” the official said.