P46-million illegal drugs seized at sea

NASUGBU, Batangas — Over P40 million worth of illegal drugs and substances were seized by combined Coast Guard and police operatives after intercepting a boat off the coast of this town early Wednesday.

Authorities said 22 kilos of a substance believed to be the powerful anesthetic ketamine and more than 2,109 tablets of the party drug Ecstasy were seized from the suspects identified as Taiwanese Pan Ching Shun and Filipino cohort Arnaldo Pamaco.

Coast Guard spokesman Lt. Commander Joseph Coyme said the suspects were apprehended by lawmen who had been tipped off about a large drug shipment coming in.

Coyme said the two suspects were caught in possession of P46 million worth of drugs and illegal substances when lawmen intercepted the motorized banca on their way to Talin Point here around 4:30 a.m. Wednesday.

Authorities said the suspects were about to transfer the drugs to another boat near Nasugbu port when they were intercepted by the Coast Guard and policemen in a 30-minute chase.

Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) Director Dionisio Santiago added the seized drugs could reach up to P110 million at street price.

"The initial estimate of the Coast Guard (at P46 million) is based on the local market selling price, but the suspects are planning to sell it abroad (where rates are) higher," Santiago said.

He said the seizure was the result of a month-long surveillance and intelligence gathering operation.

Santiago explained the country is being used by criminal syndicates as transshipment point for illegal drugs.

He added the drugs usually enter the country in raw form and are processed into a finished product to be exported later to other countries in the region. -with James Mananghaya, AP