PDEA seizes P81.6 million worth of shabu in Batangas Port; 4 arrested

Four individuals were arrested by the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) after around 12 kilograms of suspected shabu were seized from their vehicle at the Batangas Port on Wednesday.

According to the PDEA, the suspects allegedly intended to transport the illegal drugs from Mindanao to Metro Manila. 

Their black pickup truck was intercepted at Ramp 2 of the Batangas Port in Barangay Sta. Clara, Batangas City, for a routine inspection.

But during the inspection, a PDEA K9 dog sat down, indicating the presence of illegal drugs inside the vehicle. 

“Yung sasakyan nga ho na nahuli natin, naharang doon sa Port ng Batangas eh nanggaling po sa parteng Mindanao and dumaan nga po yan sa port through Matnog at dumaong sila sa Batangas. Meron tayong mga routinary inspection diyan kasama natin ang Philippine Coast Guard,” PDEA spokesperson Atty. Joseph Frederick Calulut said.

He said the inspection was random and part of routine security procedures at the port.

“Yes random inspection ito, routinary, natsambahan naman po natin na itong sasakyan na ito naupo yung mga aso,” Calulut said. 

Four individuals were inside the pickup, including a father and son identified by the aliases “Ansar” and “Alden,” as well as “Dans” and “Samer,” who were reportedly from Basilan.

PDEA operatives found around 12 gray foil packs concealed inside the pickup’s inner side panel. 

The packs contained transparent plastic bags with QR codes and a white crystalline substance suspected to be shabu.

Calulut said the manner in which the drugs were concealed indicated that they were intended to be transported to Metro Manila.

“Doon ho makikita na there was an intent to bring in dangerous drugs doon ho sa dito sa Metro Manila, naka conceal ho talaga iyan, mayroong hong plastic na receptacle dun sa gilid ng pickup doon ho nakita,” he said. 

The seized suspected shabu weighed approximately 12,000 grams and had a standard market value of around P81.6 million.

The PDEA said the suspects were allegedly bound for Metro Manila, where the drugs were supposed to be distributed. 

“These individuals are bound for Metro Manila so nakikita po natin na ito’y po’y ididistribute sana nila dito sa Metro Manila,” Calulut said.

The four suspects are now in PDEA custody and are expected to face charges for the transportation and possession of dangerous drugs under the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002. 

The seized contraband will be submitted to the PDEA Laboratory Service for forensic examination.