By CHRIS V. PANGANIBAN
SAN FRANCISCO, Agusan del Sur—Police seized an estimated ₱54.4 million worth of suspected shabu and arrested three foreign nationals following a hot pursuit operation on Christmas Eve in General Luna, Siargao Island, authorities said.
The Surigao del Norte Police Provincial Office (SDNPPO) in a social media post said the operation was conducted on Dec. 24 by joint teams from the provincial police, the General Luna Municipal Police Station, the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency, the Philippine Coast Guard, the 1st Surigao del Norte Provincial Mobile Force Company, and regional and provincial intelligence units.
Provincial police director Col. Warren E. Dablo identified the suspects as a 30-year-old Canadian trader who reportedly lives aboard a boat; a 53-year-old Hungarian retired engineer residing in El Nido, Palawan; and a 58-year-old Hungarian real estate developer, also based in El Nido.
Police said that at around 8:49 a.m., officers received a report from residents of Barangay Daku, General Luna, who turned over several sealed packages of suspected illegal drugs found along the shoreline, with some items seen floating at sea.
Responding officers proceeded to Daku Island by motorized boat and confirmed the report after arriving about 30 minutes later.
Authorities recovered eight heat-sealed brick packages marked with koi fish branding containing suspected shabu weighing about eight kilograms, and around 10 grams of marijuana kush.
The seized drugs were valued at ₱54.4 million for the shabu and ₱14,000 for the marijuana, police said.
Further investigation linked the contraband to a yacht that ran aground on coral reefs off Daku Island on Dec. 7, when the Philippine Coast Guard rescued three foreign nationals aboard the vessel.
A local boatman later told police he saw the suspects allegedly blow up the yacht, causing the packages to scatter and float in nearby waters.
After confirming the drugs’ origin, law enforcers launched a hot pursuit that led to the suspects’ arrest, police said.
“The holiday season is not a safe window for illegal drug activities. Our operations remain active and relentless,” Dablo said, warning that violators risk spending the holidays in detention.
The suspects were taken to the General Luna police station, informed of their rights under the Miranda Doctrine and the Anti-Torture Act, and placed under proper custody as investigation continues.
Police said they remain committed to pursuing drug-related offenses “regardless of nationality or timing,” and urged the public to continue reporting suspicious activities.
###
