P111.52-million shabu packs found in Cagayan, Ilocos Norte waters

Authorities conduct an inventory of packages containing suspected shabu (crystal meth) valued at a total of P104.7 million in the waters off Cagayan province on Monday, June 16, 2025 and Tuesday, June 17, 2025. (Photo from the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency)

MANILA, Philippines — Packages containing shabu (crystal meth) worth P111.52 million were found in waters off the provinces of Cagayan and Ilocos Norte, the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) said.

Fisherfolk first found 15 packs weighing a total of 15 kilograms with suspected shabu valued at P102 million in the waters between Babuyan Island and Gonzaga, Cagayan on Monday, the PDEA detailed in a statement on Wednesday.

Then, on Tuesday, fisherfolk again found a package suspected to contain shabu weighing 400 grams and valued at P2.72 million in the waters between Camiguin Island and Santa Ana, Cagayan.

Also on Tuesday, another concerned citizen found a kilogram of suspected shabu valued at P6.8 million washed up along the coast of Pagudpud, Ilocos Norte.

All packages were surrendered to their respective local authorities, PDEA said.

The discovery of the packages follow the recovery of 45.6 kilograms of shabu also in waters off Cagayan in three incidents over the weekend.

READ: PDEA: 47.3 kilos of `floating’ shabu turned over in 3 separate recoveries

“An in-depth investigation is currently underway to determine the place of origin of the recovered shabu that were offloaded at sea for pick-up of intended recipients,” PDEA Director General Isagani Nerez said in the statement.

“Strong currents may have brought them to the site where they were found,” Nerez added./coa