Illegal drugs continue to pose a grave threat to public safety and national security, destroying lives, fueling crime, and undermining the nation’s peace and order. In line with its steadfast commitment to protect the Filipino people from the devastating effects of narcotics, the Philippine National Police (PNP), in close coordination with the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA), has intensified its campaign against illegal drugs through relentless operations and strengthened inter-agency collaboration across the country.
On the night of October 3, 2025, a massive joint anti-drug operation led by PDEA and PNP resulted in the seizure of approximately 895 kilograms of suspected shabu valued at Php6.1 Billion—one of the largest shabu seizures in the history of Northern Luzon, following the implementation of a search warrant in Barangay Laois, Labrador, Pangasinan.
The operation was conducted by operatives from the PDEA Intelligence Service, PDEA Regional Office 1, PDEA Pangasinan, the Office of the Regional Director, Police Regional Office 1 (PRO1), in coordination with the Pangasinan Police Provincial Office (PPO) and the Labrador Municipal Police Station (MPS).
The team acted on a search warrant issued by the Regional Trial Court (RTC) Branch 70, Burgos, Pangasinan, which led to the arrest of two high-value individuals identified by their aliases “Wacky” and “Gardo,” and the discovery of hundreds of tea bags neatly packed on warehouse shelves. Each tea bag contains about one kilogram of suspected shabu.
Follow-up intelligence operations were immediately conducted by the authorities to trace the origin of the massive drug shipment and determine how the contraband entered the area. As of this writing, operatives are also investigating the broader network of suppliers, financiers, and local conduits possibly linked to large-scale drug syndicates operating in Northern Luzon.
Just a day before the billion-peso seizure, a successful anti-drug operation was also conducted in Barangay Polong, Bugallon, Pangasinan, where operatives intercepted approximately 125 kilograms of suspected shabu with an estimated street value of Php850 Million. The operation led to the arrest of another two high-value targets—a Chinese national and a 54-year-old Filipino. Seized from the suspects were a Hyundai Starex van, a mobile phone, and Php5 Million boodle money used for the operation.
Following the record-breaking drug haul, Police Lieutenant General Jose Melencio C. Nartatez Jr., Acting PNP Chief, personally visited the Labrador MPS on October 4 to inspect the confiscated evidence and attend an on-site joint press briefing with PDEA Chief Isagani Nerez.
The PNP Top Cop was joined by key PNP officials including Police Major General Ronnie Francis M. Cariaga, the Director for Operations; Police Major General Westrimundo D. Obinque, the Director for Comptrollership; Police Brigadier General Wilson Joseph Lopez, the Director for Intelligence; and Police Brigadier General Dindo R. Reyes, Regional Director of PRO 1.
PLtGen Nartatez emphasized that the operation highlights the strong collaboration between PDEA and PNP, reflecting the government’s whole-of-nation approach to combat illegal drugs, stating: “This joint operation demonstrates the relentless resolve of our law enforcement units to protect our communities and enforce the law. High-value syndicates will be relentlessly pursued, and we will continue to dismantle illegal operations wherever they exist.”
All arrested suspects, along with the seized evidence, were turned over to the PDEA Intelligence Service for documentation and proper disposition. They will face criminal charges for violations of Republic Act 9165, or the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002.
PNP assures the public of its continued efforts and intensified anti-drug operations, in line with President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.’s vision of a safer, more peaceful, and drug-free Philippines—ensuring that large-scale drug traffickers will be pursued and held accountable under the full force of the law.
