Another sack of shabu found in Ilocos Sur

MANILA, Philippines — Up to 60 packs of suspected shabu with an estimated street value of P408 million have been recovered in the waters off Ilocos Sur since Monday.

This developed after a third sack containing 18 packs of illegal drugs was recovered by fishermen in the waters off Magsingal town on Wednesday night, according to Brig. Gen. Lou Evangelista, Ilocos region police director.

Evangelista said the fishermen were on board a motorized banaca when they spotted a black sack floating in Magsingal Bay.

The fishermen decided to return to shore in Barangay Puro to endorse the sack to local officials.

Initial tests conducted by the Ilocos Sur police forensic unit showed the packages found in the sack contained shabu.

On Tuesday, a sack containing 18 packs of shabu was found floating in the waters off Barangay Villamar in Caoayan town.

Another sack with 24 packs of the same illegal substance was recovered in Barangay Solotsot in San Juan on Monday.

Authorities said that if each pack contains one kilo, the total amount of drugs recovered could be P408 million.

The packaging of the illegal drugs has Chinese markings, according Col. Darnel Dulnuan, Ilocos Sur police director.

Dulnuan ordered his men to scour areas where the illegal drugs were found and coordinate with concerned local government units and fishermen. – Jun Elias