The Philippine Navy said authorities intercepted suspected shabu (crystal meth) worth P10 billion off the coast of Zambales early Friday morning.

Navy spokesperson Capt. John Percie Alcos told DAILY TRIBUNE that the 1.5-ton haul of illegal drugs was the result of a joint operation between the Northern Luzon Naval Command and the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA).

"The apprehended illegal substance is currently on its way to Naval Operating Base - Subic for documentation and turn-over to proper authorities," he said.

He said the drug seizure resulted from a joint operation by the Northern Luzon Naval Command and the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) conducted around 1:30 a.m. on June 20, 2025.

“This is one of the largest illegal drug apprehensions in the history of the Philippine Navy in support of the national government’s campaign against prohibited substances,” he added.

The operation by the Navy and PDEA came in the wake of several incidents where shabu was discovered in the waters off various coastal provinces.

Earlier this month, the Philippine National Police reported that over 60 fishermen from the Ilocos Region and Central Luzon surrendered suspected illegal drugs valued at ₱8.8 billion to authorities.

This is a developing story.