The Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) and the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) successfully prevented a ship from smuggling a massive shipment of illegal drugs into the country.
According to the PCG, the vessel was intercepted just outside the Philippines’ exclusive economic zone (EEZ) near Mindoro.
PCG Commandant Admiral Ronnie Gil Gavan stated that the operation was carried out despite harsh weather conditions.
Using the PCG’s maritime assets, authorities managed to block the ship from entering Philippine waters and forced it to retreat.
Intelligence reports from PDEA indicated that the ship was carrying approximately five tons of shabu, valued at an estimated P34 billion.
PDEA spokesman Joseph Frederick Calulut confirmed that based on intelligence reports, the ship was en route to the Philippines before authorities intercepted it.
As of now, the PCG has not disclosed the vessel’s identity or its country of origin.