ZAMBALES — Authorities seized around 1.5 tons of suspected shabu worth P10 billion from a fishing vessel off the coast of Subic, Zambales early Friday, marking one of the biggest drug busts in the history of the Philippine Navy.

According to Philippine Navy spokesperson Capt. John Percie Alcos, the joint operation was the result of weeks of intelligence gathering by the Naval Forces Northern Luzon (NFNL), the Naval Intelligence and Security Group-Northern Luzon, and the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA).

The operation was launched after reports surfaced about the suspicious activities of a Philippine-registered fishing vessel, believed to be used by an international drug syndicate for transporting illegal drugs into the country via the West Philippine Sea.

At around 1:30 a.m., naval assets intercepted the vessel near Barangay Cawag, Subic, Zambales, within Philippine territorial waters.

On board were 1,495 bricks of suspected shabu concealed in sacks, likely in preparation for distribution to local syndicates once landed.

“This is one of the largest illegal drug apprehensions in the history of the Philippine Navy,” Alcos said. “The contraband was likely transferred from a foreign ‘mother ship’ in international waters before being smuggled to Philippine shores.”

Authorities arrested four suspects, including a foreign national, believed to be part of a larger smuggling network. The identities of the suspects are being withheld pending further interrogation and coordination with international counterparts.

NFNL Commander Commodore Edward de Sagon emphasized that the operation is part of heightened efforts by the military to secure the country’s maritime borders, especially as intelligence suggests that the Philippines is increasingly being used as a transshipment hub by transnational drug syndicates.

“This successful interdiction shows our capability to guard our territorial waters against criminal activities. These syndicates are exploiting our vast maritime borders, but we are stepping up efforts to counter them,” De Sagon said.

This latest bust follows a disturbing pattern. Just earlier this month, fishermen in Ilocos and Central Luzon surrendered bricks of suspected shabu that were found floating at sea, with an estimated combined value of P8.8 billion. Authorities believe these floating packages are linked to failed or hurried drug drops at sea.