Authorities seized nearly P400 million worth of suspected shabu during a K9 inspection at Liloan Port in Barangay San Roque, Liloan, Southern Leyte, on Friday, Nov. 8, 2024.
The large drug haul was discovered in a vehicle aboard a ship arriving from Surigao City. Police reports reveal that 57 tea bags containing the alleged illegal substance, totaling 57 kilograms, were hidden in the vehicle. The seized shabu is estimated to have a street value of P387.6 million, a figure that has sparked public outcry and heightened security concerns in the region.
The driver, identified only as “Toring,” a resident of Surigao City, reportedly abandoned the vehicle upon noticing the presence of law enforcement. Local authorities, including the Liloan Municipal Police Station, Maritime Police, Philippine Ports Authority-Liloan, Philippine Coast Guard-Liloan, and the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency Region VIII (PDEA-8), conducted the coordinated inspection that led to the discovery.
Following the discovery, a manhunt for the driver is ongoing, with authorities focusing on apprehending the suspect before he can leave the area. This incident has prompted officials to question whether similar drug shipments have gone undetected at local ports.
Public officials and residents alike have expressed frustration and concern over the region’s vulnerability to drug trafficking, citing this incident as a stark reminder of the need for stricter security measures.
