P1.5 Billion Shabu Haul: Bataan Fishermen Net Record Drug Bust

Bataan Fishermen's Unexpected Haul: Over P1 Billion in Shabu Seized Mariveles, Bataan—In a surprising turn of events, fishermen in the waters off Mariveles, Bataan, recently hauled in an unexpected catch: over P1.5 billion worth of shabu. The discovery was made on May 29th, when fishermen noticed several floating packages disguised as tea and frozen durian. They immediately reported their find to the Philippine Coast Guard. The Coast Guard then contacted the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) for further investigation. "Upon discovery of the floating sacks by our fishermen, they immediately reported it to the Coast Guard and we immediately reported it to our Coast Guard unit," stated a Coast Guard official. Authorities seized over 200 kilograms of shabu. According to PDEA spokesperson Atty. Joseph Frederick Calulut, this is the largest shabu confiscation of the year. "Based on our records, this is the largest confiscation of dangerous drugs for this year coming from our shores," he confirmed. Atty. Calulut added that intelligence reports suggest the drugs originated from the Golden Triangle—the region encompassing parts of Thailand, Myanmar, and Laos. The fishermen's actions are being commended by PDEA for their cooperation in thwarting this large-scale drug smuggling operation. This case highlights the ongoing challenges in combating drug trafficking in the Philippines and the importance of community involvement in law enforcement efforts.