MANILA, Philippines — A black bag found floating in the waters near Sabina Shoal in the West Philippine Sea was found to contain around 16 kilograms of suspected high-grade marijuana kush, valued at approximately ₱19.2 million, the Philippine Navy confirmed.
According to the Navy, the Maritime Civilian Armed Forces Geographical Unit Active Auxiliary Unit–West (MCAAU-W) received information on Friday night about a floating black bag believed to contain illegal drugs. The unit immediately coordinated with the Western Naval Command, which then deployed the BRP Lolinato To-Ong (PG-902) to the area.
The Navy vessel, together with the MCAAU-W, located and retrieved the suspicious bag early Saturday morning. The recovered item was later turned over to the Provincial Intelligence Unit (PIU) of the Palawan Police Provincial Office (PPO) and subsequently handed to the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA)-Palawan in Puerto Princesa City on Monday for evaluation and proper disposition.
Initial inspection by PDEA revealed that the bag contained 32 clear and black plastic packs of suspected high-grade marijuana kush, weighing a total of 16 kilograms.
“PDEA Palawan has since initiated the evaluation, field testing, and official inventory of the seized items, with appropriate disposition procedures now underway,” the agency said in a statement.
Authorities have launched an investigation to determine the source and intended destination of the seized drugs, as well as whether the incident is linked to broader maritime smuggling operations in the West Philippine Sea.
