17/03/2026
₱95-M worth of shabu intercepted at Lipata Port; 23-year-old drug courier arrested
SURIGAO CITY — Authorities intercepted 14 kilograms of suspected shabu worth ₱95.2 million during a joint interdiction operation at Lipata Port in Barangay Lipata early morning resulting in the arrest of a 23-year-old suspected drug courier from Metro Manila.
The operation was spearheaded by the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency Regional Office 13 through its Seaport Interdiction Unit (SIU)–Surigao, led by Intelligence Agent III Paul C. Pestelos, at around 4:45 a.m.
Authorities identified the suspect as a 23-year-old resident of Napindan in Taguig. He was apprehended after law enforcement units intercepted the vehicle he was using to transport the illegal drugs at the port area in Surigao City.
Confiscated from the suspect were 14 packs of suspected shabu with an estimated total weight of approximately 14 kilograms, with a standard drug value of ₱95,200,000.
Authorities said the illegal drugs were concealed in a tire, which was found during the inspection and interdiction operation conducted at the port.
Also recovered from the suspect were a metallic gray Toyota Hilux, one Android cellphone, and the tire used in concealing the illegal drugs.
The operation was conducted through close coordination among multiple law enforcement and maritime security agencies, including the PDEA Surigao del Norte Provincial Office, Surigao Component City Police Station, 1st Surigao del Norte Police Mobile Force Company, Philippine Ports Authority Port Police, Philippine National Police Maritime Group Surigao del Norte, Regional Intelligence Unit 13 PIT-SDN, Philippine Coast Guard Station Surigao del Norte, Coast Guard Sub-Station Lipata, Coast Intelligence Group–Northeastern Mindanao, Coast Guard K9 Team Lipata, Criminal Investigation and Detection Group Surigao del Norte Provincial Field Unit, and the Surigao del Norte Police Drug Enforcement Unit.
According to authorities, the seized items were properly inventoried and documented in accordance with legal procedures before being turned over to the custody of the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency for proper disposition and further investigation.
The arrested suspect is set to face charges for violation of Section 5 (Transportation of Dangerous Drugs), Article II of Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002, which penalizes the illegal transport of prohibited drugs.
PDEA Regional Director Laurefel P. Gabales of PDEA Regional Office 13 emphasized that the operation reflects the strong collaboration among law enforcement agencies in protecting the country’s ports from being used as drug trafficking routes.
“The successful operation highlights the strengthened coordination among law enforcement and maritime security units in safeguarding ports and entry points against the entry and transport of illegal drugs,” Gabales said.
Authorities are continuing their investigation to determine possible accomplices and the larger network behind the shipment, as part of intensified efforts to curb the flow of illegal drugs through key maritime gateways in Mindanao
