PDEA probes source of marijuana found in WPS

THE Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) is investigating the origin of high-grade marijuana discovered floating in the West Philippine Sea, even as it reported the confiscation of P928 million worth of illegal drugs from Oct. 1 to 17.

PDEA spokesman Joseph Frederick Calulut said fishermen found several vacuum-sealed packages suspected to contain illegal drugs in Sabina Shoal on Oct. 8, Oct. 16 and Oct. 20. The fishermen turned over the floating packages to the Western Naval Command, which later coordinated with PDEA. Laboratory tests conducted by the Philippine National Police confirmed that the contents were marijuana kush.

“This is a very rare case. Marijuana kush and cocaine are not commonly found in the Palawan area. We are coordinating with foreign counterparts to determine where these drugs came from,” Calulut said during a public briefing on Friday.

He added that PDEA is looking into the possibility that the seized drugs were part of a larger transnational smuggling network.

“Given the ongoing incidents of maritime drug smuggling, that is one of the angles we are pursuing,” he said.

To preserve the integrity of the evidence, Calulut said PDEA strictly observes the chain of custody rule, with witnesses from the Department of Justice, media, and local government units present during turnover and testing.

Meanwhile, from Oct. 1 to Oct. 17, authorities conducted 89 antidrug operations nationwide, resulting in the arrest of 142 individuals and the seizure of 109 kilograms of shabu, mostly in the National Capital Region.

Calulut cited two major operations — one in Candelaria, Quezon, where 25 kilograms of shabu were recovered, and another in Parañaque City, where 84 kilograms worth about P124 million were seized.

He credited the arrests and major seizures to stronger coordination among law enforcement agencies and the growing participation of communities.

“Our intelligence network is not limited to law enforcement agencies. It also includes barangay and communities that help identify drug dealers in their areas,” he said.

Calulut noted that the country’s vast coastline makes border surveillance difficult, which is why PDEA is intensifying coordination with the Philippine Coast Guard, Navy and Bureau of Customs. The agency has also established seaport interdiction units to monitor potential smuggling activities at ports.

He urged the public to continue reporting drug-related incidents through PDEA’s “Isumbong Mo” hotlines, adding that a QR-based feedback system will be launched on Oct. 30 to make reporting easier.

“What we ask from the public is their continuous cooperation. If you know of any illegal drug activity in your barangay, report it to PDEA — we will act on it,” Calulut said.