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MANILA, Philippines 鈥� More than 47 kilograms of shabu worth P321,980,000 were turned over by individuals to authorities in three recovery incidents in Cagayan, the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) reported on Monday.
The PDEA said that two fishermen discovered 45.6 kilograms of suspected methamphetamine hydrochloride, or shabu, off the coast of Brgy. Centro 6, Claveria, Cagayan last June 15. The agency said that the shabu were concealed inside 50 plastic packs of gold teabags with an estimated value of P310,080,000.
READ: More 鈥榮habu鈥� turns up in Ilocos Norte, Cagayan
Aside from this, a seaborne patrol operation by local authorities seized one kilogram of floating shabu worth P6.8 million in the waters off Sitio Narvacan, Brgy. Dilam in Calayan, Cagaayan last June 13.
On the same day, a fisherman and a barangay kagawad turned over one pack of floating shabu weighing 750 grams worth P5.1 million at Sitio Mingay, Bry. San Juan in Sta. Praxedes in Cagayan.
The PDEA said that the recovered illegal drugs were turned over to PDEA RO II Laboratory Office for quantitative and qualitative examination. The agency added that authorities are currently probing the origin and recipient of the floating shabu.
鈥淪urveillance and maritime patrols in Northern Luzon are being intensified to deter the entry of illegal drugs using the country鈥檚 coastlines,鈥� the PDEA said in a statement.
The individuals who discovered the floating shabu garnered praise from the authorities. PDEA Director General Undersecretary Isagani Nerez said that the fishermen have set an example that inspires others 鈥渢o follow suit.鈥�
鈥淲e applaud the integrity of these fishermen. Their courage sets an example for every Filipino. It is clear that public vigilance can be one of our strongest defenses against any evil ploy of drug syndicates,鈥� Nerez said in a statement.