By Teofilo Garcia, Jr.
ZAMBOANGA CITY – Authorities have confiscated PHP2.4 million worth of smuggled fuel in separate law enforcement operations in Zamboanga City and Basilan province during the weekend, officials reported Monday.
The bulk of the seizure, valued at PHP2.3 million, was intercepted near a private shipyard in Barangay Cawit, Zamboanga City, around past midnight Sunday.
The remaining smuggled fuel was seized in Lamitan City, Basilan.
District Collector Zsae Carrie De Guzman of the Bureau of Customs (BOC)-Port of Zamboanga, said the operation involved the wooden vessel ML Dino Saja, which was carrying 40,000 liters of diesel.
The vessel’s skipper, Moamar Hadjirul, failed to present cargo documents, leading to the seizure of the fuel and the boat.
The diesel, reportedly from Tawi-Tawi, was placed under the custody of the BOC Water Patrol Division station in Barangay Recodo. De Guzman issued a warrant for seizure and detention for the vessel and its cargo.
In Basilan, police confiscated 89 gallons (20 liters each) of smuggled diesel worth PHP100,000 in Sitio Little Cebu, Barangay Maganda, Lamitan City, around midnight Saturday. The truck driver, Englebert Ituralde Ulang, fled the scene. The Lamitan City Police Station will turn over the truck and its cargo to BOC. (PNA)
