By Christopher Lloyd Caliwan | June 10, 2025

MANILA – The value of shabu found floating off the shores of Luzon since June 2 has reached almost PHP9 billion, the Philippine National Police (PNP) said on Tuesday.

In a press conference held at Camp Crame, PNP spokesperson Brig. Gen. Jean Fajardo announced the latest discovery of 25 kg. of shabu in Magsingal, Ilocos Sur on Monday.

She said the fisherfolk in Zambales, Bataan, Ilocos Sur, and Pangasinan provinces have now discovered a total of 66 sacks containing 1,297.911 kilograms of shabu, amounting to PHP8.8 billion.

“More or less nasa 1.2 tons ang na-recover magmula noong June 2. Hanggang kahapon nasa around PHP8.8 billion worth of illegal drugs (More or less 1.2 tons have been recovered since June 2. As of yesterday, there was around PHP8.8 billion worth of illegal drug),” Fajardo said.

Fajardo cited the need to strengthen the PNP Maritime Group’s joint coastal patrols with the Philippine Coast Guard and Philippine Navy to curb illegal drug trade at sea.

At least nine fisherfolk from Bataan who discovered the shabu in Zambales have already received PHP100,000 from the local government, while the PNP provided them with sacks of rice as a gesture of appreciation.

Fisherfolk from Ilocos and Pangasinan would also be given incentives from the government, Fajardo said.

Authorities believe the illegal drugs came from the same source – suspected to be the Chinese-run Golden Triangle syndicate – as all the items had similar packaging.

“Iisa po ito, naanod lang because masama po ‘yong panahon, dahil may similarity po ‘yong packaging although iba-iba po ‘yong appearance ng sako (This is one, it just drifted away because the weather was bad, because the packaging is similar although the appearance of the sack is different),” Fajardo said.

Vast crime ring

In a statement on Tuesday, the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) said Sam Gor, a vast international crime syndicate, is primarily responsible for the dumping of 1.2 tons of shabu off the waters of Luzon.

“Sam Gor is a five-drug triad alliance namely: the 14K, Bamboo Union, Big Circle Gang, Sun Yeen On, and Wo Shing Wo, whose leaders are based in Hong Kong and Taiwan. Their members simply called it ‘The Company’,” PDEA Director General Isagani Nerez said.

The group, according to reports, operates in various countries across the Asia-Pacific Region, including the Philippines.

It is largely involved in trafficking methamphetamine, and is believed to have an estimated 40 to 70 percent control of the drug market in the region, raking in profits of up to more than USD17 billion in revenue a year.

Aside from shabu, the syndicate also funnels large proportions of heroin, ketamine, and other synthetic drugs and precursor chemicals.

Sam Gor is named after the nickname of its suspected founder/leader, Tse Chi Lop, a Chinese-Canadian who was arrested four years ago in the Netherlands and was eventually extradited to Australia in December 2022 to face drug trafficking charges. He is considered Asia’s “El Chapo”.

“Based on the packaging of shabu packs recovered on Philippine shores, they were contained in teabags with Chinese markings – a signature trademark associated with Sam Gor,” Nerez said.

Nerez pointed out that Sam Gor gained notoriety by engaging in all sorts of unconventional methods of drug smuggling, including the use of the high seas.

“They dump their illicit goods to be retrieved later by contact local cohorts. It’s a good thing that our hero fishermen got there first before the drugs fell into the wrong hands,” he added.

Nerez lauded the fisherfolk who have already surrendered the floating shabu to authorities.

“The sheer volume of surrendered illegal drugs is a resounding testament to the vigilance and integrity of our coastal communities. Honest deeds are always rewarded. Our hero fishermen will be given due recognition,” he said.

President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. earlier ordered the immediate destruction of the recovered illegal drugs to ensure that these harmful substances are out of reach of society. (PNA)