The Philippine Coast Guard (PCG), in coordination with the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) and other law enforcement units, intercepted about P74.8 million worth of suspected illegal drugs in a joint operation at Matnog Port, Sorsogon, on Saturday.
Authorities said the seized items weighed 11 kilograms and included drug paraphernalia. The operation, carried out at the Philippine Ports Authority (PPA) Matnog Port in Barangay Caloocan, Matnog, was part of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s directive to intensify the campaign against illegal drugs.
Two suspects, a 19-year-old man from Pualas, Lanao del Sur, and a 34-year-old man from San Miguel, Manila, were arrested and will face charges under Republic Act 9165, or the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002.
The Coast Guard said PDEA personnel alerted its sub-station in Matnog about a vehicle allegedly transporting illegal drugs through the port. A K9 unit was deployed for inspection, assisted by the Coast Guard Intelligence Group in Bicol, the CG Intelligence Unit Matnog, and another K9 team.
During the search, two narcotic detection dogs, “Semion” and “Laica,” signaled the presence of illegal substances inside a white Toyota Hilux with license plate NGR 9539.
The Coast Guard District Bicol (CGDBCL) said the operation highlights the importance of inter-agency coordination in disrupting drug trafficking through maritime routes and reinforces the PCG’s mandate to protect coastal communities and secure maritime borders in the Bicol Region and beyond.
