The Philippine Coast Guard (PCG), in coordination with the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA), seized suspected illegal drugs valued at more than one million pesos during a joint operation at the Port of Batangas on June 17, 2026.
According to PCG spokesperson Commodore Noemie Cayabyab, the operation stemmed from the discovery of a suspicious package flagged during routine port security screening. Authorities conducted a follow-up inspection, which yielded positive indications for illegal drugs.
Further verification confirmed the presence of suspected illegal substances. Authorities recovered three sachets containing approximately 150 grams of suspected methamphetamine hydrochloride or “shabu,” with an estimated street value of ₱1.02 million.
The seized items were turned over to PDEA for laboratory examination and case build-up. The suspect is currently in custody and will face appropriate charges.
The operation was carried out under the Intensified Community Assistance, Awareness, Response, and Enforcement (iCARE) campaign, which aims to prevent the transport of illegal drugs through the country’s ports and strengthen maritime security against criminal activities.