(Photo from the Provincial Government of Northern Samar)
The apprehension of the three men occurred a day after P61 million worth of suspected shabu (methamphetamine) was discovered abandoned at the same pier. The police believe that the three men are connected to the abandoned suitcase containing shabu.
Officers from the Allen Municipal Station intercepted an L-300 van driven by the man from Taguig, who was accompanied by two other passengers from Cotabato City and Maguindanao. During the inspection conducted by the police, assisted by the Police Service-Explosive Detection Dog (EDD), high-caliber firearms and explosives were found inside the vehicle.
Items discovered included assembled M16 rifles, 40mm AVACOR cartridges, parts of a rifle, military uniforms, various bullets, IDs, ATM cards, and cash.
The three suspects will be charged with illegal possession of firearms and explosives, according to Police Colonel Sonnie Omengan, Northern Samar police chief.
A day before the L-300 van carrying firearms and explosives was intercepted, P61 million worth of shabu was discovered in an abandoned suitcase at the FastCat Ferry Terminal in Barangay Kinabranan Zone II, Allen, Northern Samar on August 8, 2024.
A 30-year-old port officer spotted the abandoned suitcase and reported it to the Philippine Coast Guard.
The Coast Guard K9 Field Operating Unit retrieved nine blocks of tea bags containing shabu, estimated to weigh 9.695 kilograms.
The seized drugs were taken to the Allen Municipal Police Station for documentation before being handed over to the Northern Samar Police Forensic Unit for examination. The origin of the drugs is still being investigated.
