Bataan fishermen discover P1.5-B shabu in waters off Zambales

Bataan fishermen turn over suspected shabu valued at P1.5 billion to authorities on Monday, June 2, 2025, after discovering the drugs in the waters off Masinloc, Zambales. —Photo from the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency

MANILA, Philippines — Ten Bataan fishermen discovered suspected shabu valued at P1.5 billion in the waters off Masinloc, Zambales, the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) said.

The fishermen saw the suspected shabu at around 5:30 p.m. last Thursday, then reported it and turned it over to authorities at around 4:05 p.m. on Monday after their fishing activity, the PDEA detailed in a statement.

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“The shabu… was contained in 10 sacks holding 223 assorted vacuum-sealed transparent plastic packs,” the agency further explained.

The PDEA’s Central Luzon office ordered an investigation to trace the origin of the drugs, tapping other law enforcement agencies and local government units.

The discovered drugs were submitted to the PDEA’s laboratory in the region. /cb