A Canadian and two Hungarian nationals were arrested during hot pursuit in Siargao Islands in Surigao del Norte on Christmas Eve after authorities recovered from them suspected illegal drugs worth more than P54 million.

According to the Surigao del Norte Police Provincial Office, personnel of the General Luna Municipal Police Station received reports around 8:49 a.m. that residents of Barangay Daku discovered several packages containing suspected illegal drugs along the shore, with some items found floating at sea.

Residents turned over the items to authorities.

During verification, authorities said the items recovered consisted of eight bricks of heat-sealed packages containing suspected shabu weighing around eight kilos and worth more than P54 million, and around 10 grams of marijuana kush worth around P14,000.

Police said that on December 7, 2025, the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) rescued three foreign nationals from a yacht that ran aground in the coral reefs in front of Daku Island.

A local boatman told authorities that he witnessed the foreign nationals intentionally blowing up the yacht at that time, causing the suspected illegal drugs to float and scatter in the waters.

After confirming that the suspected illegal drugs recovered originated from the yacht, operatives launched a hot pursuit operation, which resulted in the arrest of the three foreigners.

The suspects were identified as a Canadian national, 30; a Hungarian national, 53, retired engineer, and a resident of Corong-Corong, Barangay 4, El Nido, Palawan; and another Hungarian national, 58, real estate developer, and a resident of El Nido, Palawan.

"The holiday season is not a safe window for illegal drug activities. Our operations remain active and relentless. Those who choose to violate the law risk spending the holidays not with family, but in detention," Surigao del Norte Police Provincial Director, Col. Warren Dablo, said.