CITY OF SAN FERNANDO, Pampanga — The Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) identified the international crime syndicate responsible for dumping more than a ton of suspected shabu in the coastal areas of the country as Sam Gor.

The Sam Gor Group is a vast international crime group that dumped the methamphetamine hydrochloride found by local fishermen drifting in the coastal areas of Zambales, Pangasinan and Ilocos Sur.

PDEA cited that the syndicate 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 up profits up to more than $17 billion in revenue a year.

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

“Based on the packaging of shabu packs recovered in Philippine shores, they were contained in teabags with Chinese markings — a signature trademark associated with Sam Gor,” PDEA Director General, Undersecretary Isagani R. Nerez said.

“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 pointed out.

In a continuing show of courage and vigilance, 56 local fishermen have already surrendered a total of 1,038 kilos of suspected shabu worth P7,058,400,000 in 40 turnover incidents to authorities, as of 9 June 2025 — marking one of the country’s largest maritime seizures of illegal drugs in recent years.

The shabu packs were found washed ashore in the coastal areas of Dacap Sur, Bani; Boboy and Macaboboni, Agno; and Luciente I, Balingasay, Concordia and Poblacion, Bolinao — all located in the province of Pangasinan and Barangay Mantanas and Dili, Sta. Cruz, Ilocos Sur. Last 29 May, P1,514,054,000 worth of shabu found by 10 Bataan fishers off the waters of Masinloc, Zambales, were also surrendered to authorities on 2 June.

“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,” Nerez said.

Retrieval operations by joint operatives of PDEA Regional Office I; the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) District Northwestern Luzon; Philippine Navy Northern Luzon Naval Command; National Bureau of Investigation Region 1; and local units of the Philippine National Police, are still ongoing.

The PCG and PN continue to patrol nearby waters with the unwavering support of the local government units of Agno, Bani and Bolinao of Pangasinan, and Sta. Cruz of Ilocos Sur and surrounding coastal communities.

President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. has issued a directive for the immediate destruction of the recovered illegal drugs to ensure that these harmful substances are out of reach of society.

“The President has spoken. PDEA will exert its utmost effort towards the prompt destruction of the illegal drugs and keep every Filipino out of harm’s way. We will pursue the key perpetrators behind this transnational crime as we remain vigilant not only in safeguarding our seas but also protecting our land and air from drug trafficking woes,” the PDEA chief concluded.