A joint task force comprising personnel from the Bureau of Customs (BOC), Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority’s Investigation and Intelligence Department (SBMA-IID), Law Enforcement Division (SBMA-LED), Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) Zambales, Olongapo City Police Drug Enforcement Unit (OCPDEU), Zambales Provincial Intelligence Team-RIU3, and Regional Intelligence Division-PRO3 conduct a thorough search of the vessel found to be containing 89 bags/packages of suspected kush/cannabis, aboard a Malaysian yacht docked at the Subic Bay Yacht Club (SBYC) on September 2, 2026.
SUBIC BAY FREEPORT — Authorities seized about 89 kilograms of suspected kush or cannabis valued at an estimated P106.8 million from a Malaysian-flagged yacht docked at the Subic Bay Yacht Club (SBYC), officials said Thursday.
The suspected drugs, packed in 89 bags or packages, were discovered concealed inside a compartment in the yacht’s engine room during a joint operation on Wednesday, Sept. 2.
The vessel had reportedly sailed from Kota Kinabalu, Sabah, Malaysia and was bound for Taiwan when it encountered engine trouble at sea and sent a distress signal. It was rescued and brought to the SBYC on Aug. 28 with four crew members aboard.
The discovery of the suspected contraband was reported to SBYC management, which immediately coordinated with authorities.
A joint task force composed of personnel from the Bureau of Customs (BOC), Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority (SBMA) Investigation and Intelligence Division, SBMA Legal and Enforcement Division, Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency-Zambales, Olongapo City Police Drug Enforcement Unit, Zambales Provincial Intelligence Team-RIU3 and Regional Intelligence Division-PRO3 subsequently boarded and searched the vessel under a BOC mission order.
Authorities said the seized substance is still subject to laboratory examination to determine its exact classification, net weight and final valuation.
The items were documented and inventoried before being placed under the custody of the concerned law enforcement agencies for further investigation.
Authorities are also looking for the four crew members to determine whether they had knowledge of the suspected drugs and their possible involvement in the concealment and transport of the shipment.
No charges have been filed against the crew members pending the outcome of the investigation, authorities said.
Investigators are now working to determine the source and ownership of the suspected cannabis, its intended destination and recipient, and who was responsible for hiding the packages aboard the yacht.
The vessel’s travel history and previous ports of call are also being examined, including possible links to local or international drug trafficking networks.
The seizure comes as authorities continue to strengthen monitoring and interdiction efforts at the Subic Bay Freeport, a major maritime gateway in Central Luzon.
The investigation is ongoing.