Fisherman Finds Suspected Drugs Worth Millions on Batanes Shore

Picture courtesy of Inquirer

In a startling discovery, suspected drugs valued at P166.6 million were recovered from the shoreline of Batanes, the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) reports.

A 59-year-old fisherman stumbled upon the stash along Barangay Kaychanaryan's coast in Basco on June 19. The find, handed over to authorities on Wednesday, consisted of a sack containing 24 vacuum-sealed packs and one partially opened pack labelled ‘Daguanying’, filled with a white crystalline substance believed to be illegal drugs, according to the PDEA.

While the exact type of drug has not been confirmed, the PDEA mentioned a total weight of 24.5 kilograms. The agency’s Batanes provincial office has taken custody of the substances and plans to send them to their laboratory in mainland Cagayan for analysis soon.

This incident is part of a troubling pattern, with recent weeks seeing drugs washed ashore in various coastal provinces across Luzon. Officials noted that as of 20th June 2025, the value of drugs discovered adrift off Luzon's shores has soared to a staggering P9.3 billion.

These findings raise significant concerns about drug trafficking in the region, highlighting potential vulnerabilities in maritime borders. Authorities are urging coastal communities to remain vigilant and report any suspicious findings promptly.

The PDEA, alongside the Philippine National Police, continues to investigate the origins of these shipments and aims to bolster measures to prevent further occurrences, striving to protect the borders from illicit activities.

  Adapted by ASEAN Now from Inquirer 2025-06-26