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CALAPAN CITY — Authorities arrested a 43-year-old man carrying approximately 120 kilos of shabu worth P816 million at a port here on Friday in what was the biggest catch in the entire Mimaropa (Mindoro, Marinduque, Romblon and Palawan) Region since last year.
ILLEGAL DRUGS Authorities seize around 70 grams of shabu worth P476,000, contained in seven sealed plastic sachets, during a buy-bust in Urdaneta City, Pangasinan, on March 21, 2025. The operation was part of a series of anti-drug operations that led to the arrest of three high-value suspects and the confiscation of a total of 172 grams of shabu worth P1.17 million. PHOTO COURTESY OF PRO-1
The Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA)-Mimaropa said it received information that a vehicle loaded with contraband was traveling to Iloilo province via the Batangas-Mindoro route.
The PDEA then coordinated with the Philippine National Police (PNP)-Mimaropa and the Philippine Ports Authority to set up a checkpoint at the Calapan City Port in Barangay San Antonio this city.
The operation resulted in the arrest of the suspect from Iloilo City.
Found from the suspect were 120 sealed packages containing shabu, each package weighing approximately 1 kilogram. The packages were placed in two luggage bags and five handheld bags.
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The authorities also seized a Toyota Camry, an android phone and a shipping ticket.
PNP-Mimaropa regional director Brig. Gen. Roger Quesada lauded what he called a successful interdiction operation by the law enforcement agencies that also included the Philippine Coast Guard and the Calapan City Police Station.
"I commend the dedication and teamwork of PDEA-Mimaropa, our PNP units and other law enforcement partners for this significant ac-complishment," said Quesada in a statement.
"This successful operation is a testament to the effectiveness of our intensified interagency collaboration," added Quesada, stressing that he has long advocated for a unified approach among law enforcement agencies in the fight against illegal drugs, particularly in strengthening port securi-ty.
The Calapan Port is one of the most critical fronts in preventing drug smuggling in the region, noted Quesada.
"Let this serve as a strong and clear message, there is no safe passage for illegal drugs in Mimaropa. We will continue to intensify our operations and hold accountable those who seek to destroy our communities," Quesada said.
The confiscation is the biggest so far in Mindoro and in the entire Mimaropa Region, the PNP here said.
In September last year, an estimated P34 million worth of the illegal drugs was also confiscated from a couple in Bongabong town.
3 pushers yield P1.17-M shabu in Pangasinan ops
The Ilocos Police Regional Office (IPRO) reported the confiscation of 172 grams of shabu worth P1.17 million from three high-value suspects during separate operations on March 20 and March 21.
Lt. Col. Benigno Sumawang of the IPRO said the first buy-bust took place in Dagupan City, where a 42-year-old driver from Nueva Ecija was arrested with 102 grams of shabu worth P693,600.
The second operation occurred in Urdaneta City which led to the arrest of a 24-year-old man and a woman. The two yielded 70 grams of shabu valued at P476,000.
Evidence was marked and inventoried on-site in the presence of mandatory witnesses.
