A routine day at sea took an unexpected turn for a Quezon fisherman who came across three plastic bags of what authorities believe to be crystal methamphetamine, or shabu, valued at over P22 million.
Felipe Delos Santos Guevarra Jr. made the discovery in Sitio Katakian, Barangay Busdak — a coastal community in Patnanungan, one of several island municipalities off the eastern coast of Quezon province — and promptly called police. Authorities received his report at around 3:00 p.m. on Good Friday, April 3.
The Philippine National Police disclosed the find publicly on Black Saturday, April 4. According to a report that reached Camp Crame, Guevarra recovered bags containing roughly 3,280 grams of suspected shabu with a total estimated street value of P22,304,000.
“Personnel of Patnanungan MPS received a telephone call regarding the discovery of three plastic bags weighing more or less 3,280 grams of suspected shabu,” the report stated.
The seized items were subsequently handed over to the Quezon Provincial Forensic Unit for examination and proper disposition.
Patnanungan’s geography may be a factor in the case. Fronting the Philippine Sea, the island municipality’s waters are exposed to open-ocean currents — conditions the PNP noted make coastal communities like it susceptible to drifting cargo and suspected contraband. The area has historically depended on small-scale fishing, with little of the infrastructure typical of more accessible towns.
Investigators have yet to establish where the packages originated. Authorities are currently looking into whether the drugs were deliberately jettisoned at sea or intended for distribution within or outside the province. The Quezon Police Provincial Office said forensic coordination is ongoing to confirm the nature of the substance and determine its source.
