P162M in ‘high-grade marijuana’ seized from yacht at Subic Freeport

OLONGAPO CITY — High-grade marijuana, often called “kush,” worth P162.2 million was seized from a yacht docked at the Subic Bay Yacht Club (SBYC) inside the Subic Bay Freeport on Wednesday night, the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) confirmed on Thursday.

The illegal drugs were discovered hidden aboard Sailing Yacht (SY) “Lindsy” during a boarding and dismantling operation conducted by a composite team of the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA),  the Coast Guard, and the Bureau of Customs (BOC). 

Authorities were tipped off about the contraband on Sept. 1 after mechanics repairing the yacht’s generator and engine reportedly discovered the hidden compartment containing suspected illegal substances, according to a report from the PCG Intelligence Unit (CGIU) in Zambales. 

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READ: PDEA seizes P1.5-M kush in Rizal bust

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The yacht had arrived at SBYC on Aug. 28 from Thailand and was bound for Taiwan when it experienced engine trouble. Authorities have yet to disclose the identity and whereabouts of the yacht’s owner or any other persons linked to the vessel.

On Wednesday, CGIU Zambales and Coast Guard Sub-Station Olongapo personnel conducted covert verification of the vessel while BOC and PDEA personnel prepared for boarding and inspection at 7 p.m.

The operating team seized approximately 89 kilos or packs of suspected kush. The team brought the confiscated items to the SBYC boathouse for inventory.

The CGS Zambales also served as a blocking force aboard a Philippine Coast Guard Auxiliary rigid-hull inflatable boat during the seaborne operation. It later provided security escort during the transport of the seized items.

As of 1:06 a.m. on Thursday, BOC and PDEA personnel were continuing the inventory of the confiscated marijuana. BOC turned over the drugs to PDEA for proper disposition and disposal. /coa