7 ALIENS NABBED, P10B SHABU SEIZED IN FISHING VESSEL OFF ZAMBALES

BY KEVIN GALANG

A FISHING boat carrying an estimated 1.5 tons of suspected shabu worth P10 billion were intercepted by joint operatives of the Northern Luzon Naval Command (NOLCOM) and the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA)  in the waters off Zambales.

According to Naval Forces Northern Luzon commander Rear Admiral Alfonso Torres Jr.  the fishing vessel was intercepted in Scarborough Shoal following days of intelligence coordination and maritime surveillance.

Seven foreign nationals believed to be involved in transnational drug trafficking were arrested.

Torres said the seized shabu was packed in tea bags and hidden in the 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 expressed belief that the syndicate behind the operation could be linked to Asia-Pacific drug networks that use Philippine maritime routes to smuggle shabu into the country and other nearby areas.

Earlier, a large amount of “floting shabu” was seized  off the coast of Cagayan and Aurora, signaling what officials fear is a resurgence in maritime-based drug smuggling.

The Navy and the PDEA vowed continued joint operations to secure the country’s territorial waters.