Customs seizes P366.65 million worth of marijuana from yacht repaired at Subic port

A yacht brought to Subic Bay for repairs concealed more than P366 million worth of high-grade marijuana, Philippine authorities said.

The Bureau of Customs in the Port of Subic and partner agencies first found 98.33 kilograms of marijuana on September 2. The contraband had an estimated street value of P162.2 million. A further inspection and stripping of the vessel on September 5 uncovered another 123.91 kilograms in 109 packages, valued at P204.44 million.

The yacht carried four Thai and Malaysian nationals. It had reportedly sailed from Kota Kinabalu in Malaysia toward Taiwan before engine trouble forced the crew to issue a distress call. The Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority said the vessel arrived at Subic Bay Yacht Club on August 28 for repairs.

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This additional discovery shows that our work does not stop with the initial apprehension

Repair workers found plastic bags suspected to contain contraband in a compartment in the engine room and alerted the yacht club’s management. A joint task force involving Customs, the Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority, the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency, and police units from Zambales and Olongapo City then searched the vessel.

Subic District Collector Geniefelle Lagmay said the discovery showed that the investigation could not stop after the initial seizure. “This additional discovery shows that our work does not stop with the initial apprehension,” she said. Authorities will continue investigating to identify the owners and recipients and determine whether the shipment was linked to drug syndicates. The marijuana was turned over to the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency for custody and disposition.

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We will continue to thoroughly examine and strip vessels when necessary to ensure that every possible hiding place is checked.