118 Kilos of Shabu Discovered on Remote Bataan Beach

Imagine taking a beach stroll and spotting not seashells, but sacks worth nearly a billion pesos. That’s exactly what happened in Mariveles, Bataan on Thursday, when police seized 118 kilos of shabu valued at P802.4 million, abandoned on a rocky shoreline near a lighthouse.

According to Central Luzon police chief Brig. Gen. Rogelio Peñones, a concerned resident noticed the six suspicious sacks in the quiet coastal area of Sisiman and Alas-asin. The spot is so secluded that “almost no people pass by here, and no ships come close either,” he said in Filipino.

Image credit: Bataan PNP Facebook Page

This isn’t the first time the region has seen such a find. Back in June, Bataan fishermen turned over 10 sacks containing 222 kilos of suspected shabu worth P1.5 billion, discovered floating off Zambales waters. Peñones said the new haul could be linked to the earlier case, as both had the same “99” markings and were packed in Chinese tea bags — a common packaging seen in past drug seizures.

Also read: 10 Pretty Bataan Beaches & Beach Resorts for Your Next Day Trip

Authorities have been on alert after multiple reports of floating drug packs in Central Luzon and the Ilocos Region this year. In late June, the Philippine Navy intercepted suspected shabu worth P10 billion in the area.

Coastal walks may be scenic, but this year’s finds show our shores can sometimes hide dangerous surprises.

Whether you’re on a beach trip or a weekend hike, remember that not everything washed up on shore is Insta-worthy. If you stumble upon suspicious sacks or packages, don’t touch them. Snap a photo from a safe distance and report it to the nearest authorities. Your holiday should end with sand in your shoes, not a brush with P800 million worth of trouble.