SURIGAO CITY (March 16) — Authorities seized nearly P95 million worth of suspected shabu and arrested an alleged drug courier during a joint anti-drug interdiction operation at Lipata Port early Saturday, March 14.
In a statement, the Philippine National Police (PNP) said the operation was conducted around 4:45 a.m. by a joint task group composed of operatives from the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA), the PNP, the Philippine Coast Guard, and the Philippine Ports Authority police unit.
Authorities arrested a 23-year-old suspect, identified by the alias “Sultan,” who was tagged as a high-value individual allegedly working as a drug courier. The suspect is a Maranao resident of Taguig, according to police.
Recovered during the operation were 14 packs of suspected shabu weighing about 14 kilograms, with an estimated street value of P95.2 million.
A gray pickup truck believed to have been used to transport the illegal drugs was also seized by authorities.
Melencio Nartatez Jr. commended the joint law enforcement teams for the successful interdiction, emphasizing the importance of coordination among agencies in preventing illegal drugs from moving through the country’s maritime gateways.
“Malinaw ang ating mensahe—hindi natin hahayaan na magamit ang ating mga pantalan bilang daanan ng ilegal na droga,” Nartatez said.
(Our message is clear—we will not allow our ports to be used as a gateway for illegal drugs.)
He said the operation highlights continuing efforts by authorities to intercept large-scale drug shipments and dismantle networks operating across different regions of the country.
Lipata Port is considered a key maritime hub in northeastern Mindanao, serving passenger and cargo routes linking Surigao to the Visayas—routes that authorities say are occasionally exploited by drug syndicates to move illegal narcotics between islands.
The suspect is currently under police custody and will face charges for violations of the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002.
