The Philippine Navy (PN) recovered a floating bag containing suspected illegal drugs near Sabina Shoal in the West Philippine Sea on Saturday.
In a statement, the Navy said the Maritime Civilian Armed Forces Geographical Unit Active Auxiliary Unit–West (MCAAU-W) received information late Friday about a black bag drifting in the area, suspected to contain narcotics.
The unit immediately coordinated with the Navy’s Western Naval Command (WNC), which deployed BRP Lolinato To-Ong (PG-902) to investigate.
The vessel, along with MCAAU-W personnel, located and retrieved the suspicious bag early Saturday morning.
The bag and its contents were turned over to the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA)–Palawan on Monday at the Puerto Princesa City pier, with personnel from the Palawan Police Provincial Office’s Provincial Intelligence Unit assisting in the handover.
PDEA’s initial inspection revealed 32 clear and black plastic packs containing roughly 16 kilograms of suspected high-grade marijuana “kush,” with an estimated value of ₱19.2 million.
“PDEA Palawan has since initiated the evaluation, field testing, and official inventory of the seized items, with appropriate disposition procedures now underway,” it said.
WNC spokesperson Capt. Ellaine Collado reaffirmed the Navy’s commitment to inter-agency operations against drug trafficking, emphasizing efforts to keep the West Philippine Sea safe and free from unlawful activities.
