In a startling discovery during the Holy Week break, the Philippine National Police (PNP) has intensified its maritime and coastal monitoring after a fisherman found over P22 million worth of suspected shabu floating off the coast of an island municipality in Quezon province.
The recovery, made on Good Friday, April 3, 2026, has raised alarms regarding the use of Philippine territorial waters as a “drop zone” for international drug syndicates attempting to bypass traditional port security.
The illegal drugs were found by a local fisherman, identified as Felipe Delos Santos Guevarra Jr., near the coastline of Sitio Katakian, Barangay Busdak, in the island town of Patnanungan. The fisherman spotted three plastic bags drifting in the water and immediately alerted the Patnanungan Municipal Police Station.
Upon inspection and weighing, the haul consisted of approximately 3.28 kilograms of white crystalline substance suspected to be methamphetamine hydrochloride (shabu). Based on current Dangerous Drugs Board (DDB) valuations, the seized contraband has an estimated street value of P22,304,000.
PNP Chief Gen. Jose Melencio Nartatez Jr. stated on Sunday, April 5, that the presence of floating drugs suggests that syndicates may be abandoning their cargo at sea due to “intensified maritime patrols” and the high risk of interception at major ports.
“Safety is the priority. Do not touch or open the packages as they could be dangerous or contaminated,” Gen. Nartatez warned the public, particularly coastal residents and fishermen. “Immediately mark the location if possible, stay away, and report it to the nearest police station or Maritime Group unit right away.”
Following the incident, the PNP Maritime Group and the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) have been ordered to “shore up” their presence along the eastern seaboard. Patnanungan and other islands in the Polillo group face the Philippine Sea, making them vulnerable to drifting cargo from deep-sea vessels.
Authorities are currently conducting a forensic examination of the packaging to determine its origin. Investigators are looking into whether the drugs were:
- Abandoned during a high-seas pursuit.
- GPS-tagged for later retrieval by local cohorts (a method known as “dead dropping”).
- Washed away from a larger mothership operating outside Philippine territorial waters.
The discovery has put a spotlight on the role of “community intelligence” in the government’s anti-drug campaign. The PNP commended the fisherman’s quick action, noting that his cooperation prevented the high-grade narcotics from reaching the streets.
As the summer season continues and maritime activity increases, the PNP remains on high alert, emphasizing that the country’s vast and porous coastlines remain a critical frontline in the fight against organized crime.