Cagayan: Fisherfolk turned over 15 more plastic packs containing shabu they found floating off the coast of Cagayan, the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) said on Wednesday. The PDEA reported that the 15 kilograms of shabu worth PHP102 million were discovered between Babuyan Island and Gonzaga, while a 400-gram floating shabu package valued at PHP2.7 million was found off the Camiguin Island and Cape Enga±o waters in Barangay San Vicente, Sta. Ana, all in Cagayan province.

According to Philippines News Agency, the fishermen immediately surrendered the shabu to the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency Regional Office 2 (PDEA RO 2) and local units of the Police Regional Office 2 (PRO 2). PDEA Director General Isagani Nerez highlighted the importance of the fisherfolk's honesty, the prompt response, and the proper turnover of the contraband as part of a holistic approach to curb illegal drug flow in Cagayan's coastal areas. He emphasized the need to prevent these dangerous substances from reaching the wrong hands.

PRO2 Regional Director Brig. Gen. Antonio Marallag Jr. announced the launch of the Strengthening Port Interdiction to Enhance Security (SPIES) project, aimed at protecting the coastlines of Cagayan province from drug trafficking. Nerez praised the SPIES project for its role in increasing vigilance and law enforcement efforts in monitoring floating contraband along Cagayan's coastal areas.

An in-depth investigation is underway to determine the origin of the recovered shabu. Previously, on June 15, fisherfolk in Cagayan recovered and turned over 47 kilograms of shabu worth PHP321.8 million, which were also concealed inside 50 plastic packs of gold teabags.