In line with President Ferdinand βBongbongβ Marcos Jrβs anti-illegal drugs campaign, the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) and Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) have seized 816 million pesos worth of illegal drugs at Calapan Port, Oriental Mindoro yesterday, 21 March 2025.
In pursuit of this, the PDEA-Mimaropa Regional Office coordinated with the CG Sub-Station Calapan regarding the seaport interdiction operation for a 43-year old man who was listed as regional priority target and high value individual.
Upon receipt of the information, CGSS Calapan and CGK9 Team joined the initial briefing pertaining to the said operation of the alleged suspect onboard the MV Santa Editha.
At about 06:20AM of the same date, the personnel of CGK9 team, CGSS Calapan and Bureau of Plant Quarantine commenced the random paneling and inspection of all rolling cargoes from the said vessel.
At around 06:37AM, a white Toyota Camry driven by the alleged suspect was flagged down by the team and was paneled by the CGK9 team utilizing CG Working Dog Queenly. During the paneling, the CGWD Queenly showed indication that there is a presence of prohibited drugs located on the back seat of the vehicle, so they immediately informed the PDEA-Mimaropa for further assessment.
However, the alleged suspect tried to escape, but was immediately apprehended and brought to the location where his vehicle was temporarily parked.
At around 06:45AM of the same date, another paneling inspection was conducted by the PDEA K9 Unit, utilizing Working Dog βGelianβ and had indicated a positive presence of alleged prohibited drugs inside said flagged down vehicle.
At around 09:14AM of the same date, the Chemist of PDEA-Mimaropa conducted a Raman Test, a test that uses the interaction of light with a substance's chemical bonds to reveal information about its structure, composition and properties and found out that the seized items were suspected Methamphetamine Hydrochloride also known as "Shabu".
The arrested personality will be charged for violating Section 5 (Sale, Trading, Administration, Dispensation, Delivery, Distribution and Transportation of Dangerous Drugs and/or controlled precursors and Essential Chemical) and Section 11 (Possession of Dangerous Drugs) Under Article II: Unlawful Acts and Penalties of Republic Act No. 9165.
The confiscated items along with the evidences were placed under the custody of PDEA-Mimaropa for safekeeping and will be used during court proceedings.