Authorities in Pangasinan confiscated more than a ton of shabuworth nearly P7 billion in a two-day joint operation by the Philippine National Police (PNP) and the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) in the towns of Bugallon and Labrador.

On Thursday, October 2, 2025, a Chinese national and his Filipino accomplice were arrested in a buy-bust operation in Barangay Polong, Bugallon.

Police said about 125 kilograms of shabu, packed in plastic tea bags and valued at P850 million, were found inside their vehicle.

According to authorities, the Chinese suspect admitted that the drugs came from a warehouse he had bought in Barangay Laois, Labrador, and were intended for delivery to Metro Manila.

Following this lead, law enforcers implemented a search warrant operation evening on Friday, October 3, in the same warehouse, where they discovered sacks filled with shabu worth at least P6 billion. No one was found at the site.

“Dito eh nabigla po tayo na ganito po ‘yung ano pero actually mas pinaiigting po natin ‘yung anti-drugs natin,” Labrador Mayor Noel Uson said.

PDEA said Pangasinan has long been considered one of the “best routes” for transporting illegal drugs due to its coastal access and proximity to high seas.

“Ito kasing Pangasinan ay adjacent sa usual na delivery route ng pinaghihinalaan natin na international drug syndicate Triad at ‘yung proximity of Pangasinan sa high seas, so ‘iyon lang ‘yon,” PDEA Director General Usec. Isagani Nerez said.

Authorities also noticed printed QR codes on some of the drug packages, a sign, Nerez said, of how sophisticated drug operations have become.

“Ang mga drug syndicates ay well-manned. They keep on innovating, kaya napakabilis ng innovation nila… so it is a challenge for us to be innovative too. Kailangan nagiging two-steps ahead kami lagi and this is a great challenge,” Nerez added.

In total, 1,020 kilograms of shabu valued at about P7 billion were confiscated and are now in government custody.

PNP Acting Chief Lt. Gen. Jose Melencio Nartatez Jr. vowed to intensify the anti-drug campaign to curb both the supply and demand for illegal drugs.

“Unang-una po nandoon tayo sa supply kaya ito po nakita ninyo. If this illegal substance will again flood the community, ano nang mangyayari sa mga kababayan natin? Including those palutang-lutang sa western board of the Philippines, particularly Ilocos Norte going to Zambales,” Nartatez said.

He added that authorities will continue their investigation until those behind the large-scale drug operation are identified and brought to justice.