Photo courtesy of Manila Bulletin A police manhunt is underway for a Chinese woman, identified as the alleged leader of a smuggling group responsible for P5.8 billion worth of suspected shabu discovered in Occidental Mindoro last Tuesday. The Philippine Army retrieved 43 sacks of shabu from a stranded twin-engine speedboat in Barangay Harisson, Paluan. Department of the Interior and Local Government Secretary Juanito Victor C. Remulla Jr. stated that the suspect bought the speedboat in Subic and coordinated with her Chinese and Filipino associates. Get today's headlines by email The smuggling group is believed to have been operating for at least a year, using a method of transferring contraband at sea to be collected later by smaller boats. Local officials alerted the authorities, leading to the involvement of the 76th Infantry Battalion. Initial attempts to evade apprehension were made by two Chinese nationals, but they were captured along with communication equipment. Further arrests included two Filipinos found in a nearby rubber boat. The seized shabu, packaged in rice sacks purportedly from Vietnam, was verified by PDEA chemists to have over 90 percent purity. Each gram is valued at P7,000 on the street, highlighting the significant impact of this bust. Experts warn that despite this success, the fight against illegal drugs continues, with Secretary Remulla emphasizing a non-violent approach in this case. He reassured the public during a press briefing that efforts to combat narcotics are ongoing, reflecting a focus on legal resolutions. Authorities are pursuing leads and increasing their efforts to dismantle the syndicate, following this major seizure. The ongoing investigation aims to capture the group's leader and further understand their established network and operations, reported Manila Bulletin. Join the discussion? Adapted by ASEAN Now · Manila Bulletin · 13 Mar 2026
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