OPERATIVES of the Coastguard District Southwestern Mindanao (CGDSWM) have seized P10 million worth of smuggled sugar aboard a vessel in distress they recently rescued off Tawi-Tawi.

Captain Joseph Coyme, CGDSWM commander, said the rescued wooden-hulled vessel, M/L Sabrina, was found to be loaded with 5,000 bags of smuggled sugar when coastguard personnel conduct on board inspection following the rescue on August 13 near the island town of Mapun in the province of Tawi-Tawi.

Lieutenant Commander Noriel Ramos, Zamboanga Coastguard Station commander, said M/L Sabrina drifted at sea after it developed mechanical trouble while traveling to the Philippines via Tawi-Tawi from Sabah.

M/L Sabrina was towed by the BRP-Cape San Agustin of the PCG that arrived at the port of Zamboanga on Saturday, August 18.

The confiscated 5,000 bags of smuggled sugar were turned over to Lawyer Lyceo Martinez, customs district collector, following its arrival in this city.

Bureau of Customs (BOC) Commissioner Isidro Lapeña, who visited Zamboanga on Saturday, has witnessed the turnover of the confiscated smuggled sugar.

Coyme said they were informed that M/L Sabrina was carrying 6,000 bags of sugar but at least 1,000 bags were thrown overboard to keep the vessel afloat after it developed mechanical deffect.

Martinez said the 5,000 bags of 50 kilos sugar is worth P10 million based on the selling price of P2,000 per bag.

Martinez said they issued a warrant of seizure and detention order for the sugar, including M/L Sabrina.

He said they will take into custody the confiscated sugar and “we shall proceed with the auction proceeding so that these sugar will be dispersed to the market.”

Lapeña said they have yet to determine the ownership of the confiscated smuggled sugar citing what they have at hand are documents indicating the name of the motor launch and the list of crew. (SunStar Philippines)