CAMP CAPINPIN, Tanay, Rizal — Government troops recovered several sacks of suspected illegal drugs from an abandoned speedboat along the coastal area of Barangay Harrison in Paluan, Occidental Mindoro on March 10, authorities said.
According to Col. Michael T. Aquino, acting chief of the Division Public Affairs Office of the 2nd Infantry (Jungle Fighter) Division, soldiers and Citizen Armed Force Geographical Unit (CAFGU) Active Auxiliary (CAA) personnel from the 76th Infantry (Victrix) Battalion under the 203rd Infantry (Bantay Kapayapaan) Brigade responded to information from a concerned citizen about a twin-engine speedboat that had run aground near Sitio Agbalite.
The report prompted government troops to conduct a verification operation in the area, which led to the discovery of 43 sacks containing a white crystalline substance believed to be methamphetamine hydrochloride, locally known as “shabu.”
Also recovered from the vessel were a Starlink communication device, eight hand flares (bengala), three fire extinguishers, four batteries, two life jackets, and two lifebuoys.
Initial estimates place the potential street value of the suspected illegal drugs at around P6.8 billion, Aquino said. However, authorities noted that the exact weight, composition, and value of the seized substances will still be determined following laboratory examination and verification by appropriate law enforcement agencies.
The recovered items were secured by responding troops while coordination with law enforcement authorities was initiated for proper documentation, inventory, and further investigation.
Aquino said authorities are continuing efforts to determine the origin of the suspected illegal drugs and identify individuals involved in the incident.
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