Vietnamese vessel detained for allegedly smuggling rice

Authorities have detained a cargo vessel bearing the Vietnamese flag for allegedly carrying undocumented rice cargoes onboard along with several maritime safety violations, the Philippine Coast Guard (PGC) said.

The ship MV Minh Tuan 68 which carries 16 crew members is currently anchored at the at vicinity waters of Albay Gulf pending the presentation of documents required by the government.

The vessel was detained after the Bureau of Customs (BOC) Enforcement and Security filed a complaint against it on the night of Sept. 7, according the PGC.

“(BOC) representatives reported that said foreign vessel allegedly intends to unload the illegally shipped cargo from Vietnam to Legazpi City,” the PCG said.

The PCG added that the BOC representatives also requested assistance from Coast Guard Station Albay to detain the said vessel and prevent its possible escape.

Authorities conducted a joint maritime security operation and a port state inspection and found out that the vessel does not have valid documents pertaining to the safety requirements.

The PCG also found inconsistencies with the documents of the transported cargoes.

The PCG added that the BOC would seize MV Minh Tuan 68's cargoes if the vessel's master will not be able to present certification that it could import rice. (Emmanuel Louis Bacani/Sunnex)