International drug cartel behind shabu seized off Zambales

MANILA, Philippines — International drug cartel Sam Gor is responsible for the 1.5 tons of shabu valued at P10.2 billion seized by the Philippine Navy off the coast of Zambales on Friday, according to the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency.

PDEA director general Isagani Nerez connected the shipment of shabu to Sam Gor after a Chinese-Malaysian national who was arrested in the operation admitted he is a member of the drug ring based in the Asia-Pacific region.

Sam Gor is an alliance of five drug cartels: 14K, Bamboo Union, Big Circle Gang, Sun Yeen On and Wo Shing Wo. It is named after Tse Chi Lop, a Chinese-Canadian who is facing drug trafficking charges in Australia.

An initial investigation showed the illegal drugs came from a bigger ship and was transferred to a fishing vessel.

The drug syndicate is also behind the recent dumping of shabu found floating in the coastal areas of Zambales, Pangasinan, Ilocos Sur, Ilocos Norte and Cagayan.

Nerez said Sam Gor attempted to smuggle another batch of shabu after their initial shipment of over 1.3 tons of shabu worth P8.8 billion was discovered in the country’s territorial waters.

“The first batch was a failure. This was a replenishment,” he said in an interview aired over GMA News “24 Oras.”

Nerez said the fishing vessel where the illegal drugs were found is also under investigation.