SURIGAO CITY, Philippines — A routine port inspection turned into one of the region’s largest drug seizures this year after a joint law enforcement team intercepted approximately 14 kilograms of suspected methamphetamine hydrochloride or “shabu” at the Port of Lipata in Surigao City over the weekend.
The huge illegal drug load was detected by Coast Guard Working Dog Nicole during a targeted inspection of a vehicle boarding at the port, where the trained narcotics detection dog gave a positive indication while sniffing a spare tire. Upon further manual inspection, authorities discovered the alleged illegal drugs hidden inside the spare tire cavity, leading to the immediate arrest of the suspect.
The illegal substance, which has an estimated street value of Php 95.2 million, was intercepted following an intelligence report received by the Coast Guard Intelligence Unit-Northeastern Mindanao (CGIG-NEM).
The seizure was the result of a massive coordination effort between the Philippine Coast Guard, Philippine National Police, Philippine Ports Authority, and the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency.
Following the intelligence report, the CGIG-NEM coordinated with Coast Guard Station Surigao del Norte, Coast Guard Sub-Station Lipata, and Coast Guard K9 Team Lipata, alongside other law enforcement agencies operating in the area.
The suspect now faces charges for the Transportation of Dangerous Drugs under Section 5, Article II of Republic Act No. 9165, also known as the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002.