ILOILO City – Authorities intercepted a shipment of suspected shabu worth P816 million at Calapan Port in Mindoro, reportedly bound for Iloilo City, prompting heightened security and intensified anti-drug operations in the metropolis.
The Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) Calapan conducted a random inspection and K9 sweeping of vehicles at the port when its K9 unit detected the presence of illegal drugs in a compartment of a vehicle.
A coordinated operation with the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) followed, leading to the arrest of the driver.
The suspect, identified as alias “Christopher”, 43, a resident of Barangay Pulo, Maestra Vita, Oton, Iloilo, is now facing charges for violating Sections 5 and 11 of Republic Act 9165 or the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002.
Authorities had earlier received intelligence about a suspicious vehicle transporting illegal drugs from Batangas Port en route to Iloilo.
Acting on the tip, they intercepted the vehicle as it was about to leave Calapan Port.
An estimated 150 kilos of shabu were discovered concealed in several traveling bags.
Following the operation, Iloilo City’s Mayor Jerry Treñas lauded the successful interdiction, saying it prevented a major influx of illegal drugs into the city.
“Iloilo City will not be a haven for illegal drugs — never again,” Treñas said, calling for stricter security measures, including checkpoints, coordination with intelligence units, and a full investigation to uncover the network behind the smuggling attempt.
Authorities are continuing their probe to determine the full scope of the syndicate’s operations and their potential links to Iloilo City./PN
