Siargao: Police arrested three foreign nationals and seized suspected shabu, with an estimated street value of more than PHP54 million, from a grounded yacht off Siargao Island, authorities reported Thursday.
According to Philippines News Agency, the Surigao del Norte Police stated that concerned residents of Daku Island in General Luna town discovered sealed packages containing illegal drugs washed ashore and floating at sea on Christmas Eve. A joint operation subsequently recovered eight bricks of suspected shabu weighing about 8 kilograms, valued at PHP54.4 million, as well as 10 grams of high-grade marijuana.
Residents linked the illegal drugs to a yacht that ran aground near the island on December 7. The three foreigners aboard the vessel were initially rescued, but a local boatman later informed police that he witnessed them setting the yacht on fire, which resulted in the drug bricks being scattered.
Provincial police director, Col. Warren Dablo, emphasized the ongoing vigilance of law enforcement, stating, 'The holiday season is not a safe window for illegal drug activities. Our operations remain active and relentless.'
The arrested individuals include a 30-year-old Canadian and two Hungarian nationals, aged 53 and 58. They are currently in police custody in General Luna.
