The Philippine Navy, PDEA seized 1.5 tons of shabu worth ₱10B off Zambales on June 20, 2025. One of the largest drug busts in Philippine history.
This operation marks one of the largest drug busts in the Philippine Navy’s history, significantly contributing to the government’s crackdown on illegal substances.
The seized drugs are now being taken to the Naval Operating Base – Subic for official documentation and proper turnover to authorities.
PDEA Director General Undersecretary Isagani Nerez stated that the drug delivery was attempted under the cover of darkness, likely to avoid detection. He emphasized that without the strong patrolling efforts of the Philippine Navy and the well-coordinated actions of law enforcement, these drugs could have reached communities.
Commodore Edward Ike De Sagon, chief of the Northern Luzon Naval Command (NLNC), explained that the successful interception highlights the Navy’s dedication to securing the country’s waters and protecting communities from the dangers of illegal drugs.
The drugs were found on a Philippine fishing vessel approximately 50 nautical miles off the coast of Zambales. De Sagon mentioned that the vessel’s suspicious movements led to the operation.
Four Filipino citizens and one foreign national were arrested aboard the fishing vessel. Their identities will be revealed once the vessel reaches Naval Operating Base-Subic. De Sagon speculated that the suspects might have been lured by the promise of large sums of money for transporting the illegal cargo.
De Sagon also noted that the Navy had stepped up its patrol operations after significant amounts of illegal drugs were found in the country’s northern provinces earlier in June. He added that the fishing vessel’s unusual operating distance from other similar boats further raised their suspicions.
While it’s not yet clear if the fishing vessel transferred the drugs from another ship, De Sagon believes it was headed towards the country’s west coast to unload its illegal cargo. Two Navy gunboats were involved in the interception, though their names and speeds were not disclosed for security reasons.
