By: Charles Nikko Limon
After the recent seizure of over 1.5 billion pesos worth of shabu off the coast of Zambales, another discovery has emerged, this time, in the western waters of Pangasinan.
Authorities suspect the illegal drugs could be linked to the Golden Triangle syndicate.
On May 29, fishermen from Mariveles, Bataan, stumbled upon blocks of shabu packed in sacks while fishing off the coast of Masinloc, Zambales.
Instead of their usual catch, they turned over the illegal drugs to the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA).
Upon inspection, 223 blocks of suspected shabu were recovered from ten sacks.
Authorities estimated their total street value at 1.5 billion pesos.
Just days later, seven more sacks were found floating near the coastline of Pangasinan.
The first two were spotted in Barangay Balingasay, Agno town.
Later, four more sacks were recovered from the shores of Agno, Bani, and Bolinao, also by local fishermen who immediately reported the find.
A total of 173 blocks of shabu were recovered in Pangasinan, with an estimated value of 1.7 billion pesos.
The seized drugs were inventoried by the Pangasinan Police Provincial Office and PDEA Provincial Office, before being turned over to PDEA Region 1 for further investigation.
A 49-year-old construction worker identified only as alias Marlon was arrested in a buy-bust operation by PDEA Region 1 in Barangay Pugo, Bauang, La Union on June 5 at around 2:34 PM.
Authorities seized three sachets of suspected shabu from Marlon, weighing a total of 1.5 grams and worth about 10,200 pesos.
His tricycle, cellphone, and the marked money used in the operation were also confiscated.
He is currently detained at the PDEA Region 1 jail facility in Camp Diego Silang, Barangay Carlatan, San Fernando City.
In Barangay 2 Garreta, Badoc, Ilocos Norte, a 38-year-old man known as alias Ariz was arrested in a joint buy-bust operation conducted by PDEA Region 1 and the Ilocos Norte Police Provincial Office on June 4.
Authorities recovered nine sachets of suspected shabu from Ariz, weighing over 7 grams and valued at 47,600 pesos.
According to PDEA, Ariz is a member of the Ronfer Drug Group, which is believed to be operating within and beyond Ilocos Norte.
He is now under custody at the Badoc Police Station.
In Aparri, Cagayan, two suspects identified as alias Ver, 36, and alias Ona, 46, were arrested in a drug den raid conducted by PDEA Region 2.
The buy-bust operation took place on the night of June 3 in Barangay Centro Uno.
Authorities seized five sachets of suspected shabu weighing a total of 5 grams and valued at 34,000 pesos.
Drug paraphernalia and marked money were also confiscated.
All suspects from the operations in Pangasinan, La Union, Ilocos Norte, and Cagayan will face charges for violating Republic Act 9165 or the Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002.
