Ruben A. Veloria
SUBIC BAY FREEPORT, Philippines – Authorities are still probing all available documents that may lead to unveiling the identity of the owner of a yacht where authorities siezed on Wednesday more than P100-M worth of illegal marijuana while on docked Subic Bay Yacht Club here.
Based on the reports received by authorities, while repairing the yacht’s engine and generator, the boat mechanic accidentally opened a secret storage chamber where he found the suspected illegal drugs.
On September 2, the combined operation team of Philippine Coast Guard (PCG), Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA), and Bureau of Customs (BoC) responded to request for assistance, and conducted on-board inspection of the boat.
The inspection confirmed the presence of the suspected high-grade marijuana with an estimated street value of P106.8 million while stacked inside the secret cache in the engine room of the yacht. The drugs were later brought at the boat house of Subic Bay Yacht Club for proper documentation and inventory.
The following day, PDEA agents, escorted by Philippine Coast Guard personnel, transported and turned-over of the confiscated items to PDEA Headquarters for proper disposition and investigation.
