REGIONAL
Advocates Philippines
Massive Drug Haul Intercepted At Batangas Port
Photo credit: Coast Guard District Southern Tagalog
Batangas City, Philippines – A major drug smuggling attempt was thwarted at Batangas Port on Tuesday, September 16, 2025, thanks to a sharp-eyed joint operation by the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG), the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA), and the Coast Guard K9 Unit. Authorities seized illegal substances with an estimated street value of ₱272 million.
The massive haul was discovered during a routine anti-drug inspection. Operatives noticed something amiss when a 30-year-old man from Cotabato City, who had just disembarked from a passenger vessel, struggled to unload one of four large audio speakers from his private vehicle.
The suspect’s unusual difficulty caught the attention of PDEA agents, who then called in the PCG K9 team. A paneling check by a service dog gave a positive indication, leading to a closer inspection. Inside the speaker enclosures, officers found several boxes of illegal drugs expertly hidden.
Following the discovery, the seized contraband was immediately inventoried and secured. It has since been transported to the PDEA National Headquarters in Quezon City for laboratory examination. The suspect is now in PDEA custody and is set to face charges for violating anti-drug laws.
This successful interdiction underscores the effectiveness of inter-agency cooperation in securing the nation's ports and preventing the flow of illegal drugs. The coordinated efforts of the PCG, PDEA, and their K9 units serve as a crucial line of defense in protecting public safety and national security.
The massive haul was discovered during a routine anti-drug inspection. Operatives noticed something amiss when a 30-year-old man from Cotabato City, who had just disembarked from a passenger vessel, struggled to unload one of four large audio speakers from his private vehicle.
The suspect’s unusual difficulty caught the attention of PDEA agents, who then called in the PCG K9 team. A paneling check by a service dog gave a positive indication, leading to a closer inspection. Inside the speaker enclosures, officers found several boxes of illegal drugs expertly hidden.
Following the discovery, the seized contraband was immediately inventoried and secured. It has since been transported to the PDEA National Headquarters in Quezon City for laboratory examination. The suspect is now in PDEA custody and is set to face charges for violating anti-drug laws.
This successful interdiction underscores the effectiveness of inter-agency cooperation in securing the nation's ports and preventing the flow of illegal drugs. The coordinated efforts of the PCG, PDEA, and their K9 units serve as a crucial line of defense in protecting public safety and national security.
Sep 17, 2025
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