LAWMEN have arrested seven people and seized some P288,000 worth of smuggled petroleum products in a law enforcement operation in the province of Tawi-Tawi, the police said Sunday, January 26.
The Philippine National Police-Maritime Group (PNP-MG) did not identify the seven arrested persons, who were all crew of an unmarked wooden-hulled ferry, intercepted in an anti-smuggling operation.
The PNP-MG said they were arrested on Saturday, January 25, in the municipal waters of South Ubian, Tawi-Tawi.
The PNP-MG said the operatives of the Tawi-Tawi Maritime Police Station (Marpsta) together with Bureau of Customs personnel were conducting seaborne patrol when they chanced upon the wooden-hulled vessel.
The police said the vessel, upon inspection, was found to be transporting petroleum products without pertinent documents.
Seized from the vessel were 2,600 liters of gasoline valued at P156,000 and 2,400 liters of diesel worth P132,000, all with a total of PhP288,000.
The seven arrested persons and confiscated petroleum products were placed under the custody of Tawi-Tawi MARPSTA for proper documentation.
They will be turned over to the Bureau of Customs for proper disposition. (SunStar Zamboanga)