POLICEMEN have intercepted and seized some P64,200 worth of smuggled gasoline on Tuesday, August 2, off Sitangkai, Tawi-Tawi.
Police Colonel Richard Verceles, operations chief of Area Police Command-Western Mindanao, that the policemen aboard patrol gunboat were conducting seaborne patrol when they chanced upon a fishing boat named F/B Dhal-Qhalip in the waters off Sitangkai.
Verceles said that upon inspection, the fishing boat manned by a two-man crew, was loaded with some 1,249.18 liters of gasoline with P64,200 placed in plastic gallons and drums.
Verceles said the crew, who was arrested, were identified as Sakib Ahmad Sakaluran, 48, the skipper, and his assistant, Masri Ilahan Mustafa, 20. Both are residents of Dungon village, Panglima Sugala, Tawi-Tawi.
He said the smuggled gasoline came from Sandakan City in Sabah.
He said they will be charged for violation of Republic Act 10863, otherwise known as An Act Modernizing the Customs and Tariff Administration. (SunStar Zamboanga)