‘Yacht used to transport shabu seized in Batangas

MANILA, Philippines — ’ A private yacht was suspected to have transported the 1.4 tons of shabu with an estimated street value of P9.68 billion seized at a police checkpoint in Alitagtag, Batangas on Monday.

In a press briefing yesterday, Interior Secretary Benhur Abalos said a background investigation on the yacht is underway.

Philippine National Police chief Gen. Rommel Francisco Marbil said the Philippine Coast Guard is investigating where the yacht originated.

Authorities are validating reports that a foreigner rented the yacht and that it arrived off the coast of Barangay Natipunan in Nasugbu on March 30.

Last Monday, a passenger van was pulled over at a police checkpoint in Barangay Pinagkrusan on suspicion that it was carrying jeepney drivers joining a transport strike. The van turned out to be loaded with shabu.

Charges for violation of the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act were filed against the van driver, who reportedly identified himself as a former US Marine. The seized shabu is the country’s second biggest drug haul in a single police operation after the  P11 billion confiscated in  Infanta, Quezon in March 2022.