An estimated ₱166.6 million worth of suspected shabu was discovered on June 19, 2025, along the shores of Barangay Chanarian in Basco, Batanes.
According to PDEA Region 2 Regional Director Charlene Magdurulang, a local fisherman found a sack containing 24 vacuum-sealed packs and one partially opened pack labeled “DAGUANYING,” all filled with a white crystalline substance suspected to be shabu.
The fisherman initially left the sack on the beach out of fear, but after four days without anyone claiming it, he returned and reported it to the barangay captain.
The sack was officially turned over to Basco Police Station on June 25, 2025, at around 3:50 p.m.
Authorities confirmed that the confiscated substance weighed approximately 24.5 kilograms.
It is currently held by the PDEA Batanes Provincial Office pending the completion of necessary documentation for its transfer to the national headquarters for formal examination and destruction.
On the same day, June 25, 2025, a total of 60.663 kilograms of shabu and 410 ml of liquified shabu, seized from previous anti-drug operations in Sta. Praxedes, Claveria, Gonzaga, and Sta. Ana, were destroyed at the national headquarters in Tarlac.
Also included in the destruction were 2.672 kilograms of cocaine recovered from Calayan on May 10, 2025, and 446 grams of dried marijuana leaves from Tinglayan, Kalinga.
President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. personally witnessed the destruction of the illegal drugs, reinforcing the government’s stand against narcotics.