-
The Bureau of Customs averted the smuggling of 146,000 liters of unmarked fuel in Mariveles
-
BOC and National Bureau of Investigation agents seized fuel and 16 lorry trucks valued at P88 million
-
BOC also impounded a motorized tanker used to transport the fuel with an estimated value of P60 million
-
The authorities raided the private port in Bataan after receiving a tip on alleged fuel smuggling activities
The Bureau of Customs (BOC) averted the smuggling of 146,000 liters of unmarked fuel in Mariveles, Bataan.
According to BOC-Customs Intelligence and Investigation Service (CIIS) director Verne Enciso, the estimated value of the fuel and 16 lorry trucks seized is P88 million; and the vessel, P60 million.
The motorized tanker that transported the illicit fuel was also impounded by the Bureau.
A joint operation was conducted on December 16 at the private port in Barangay Alas Asin by agents of CIIS at the Manila International Container Port and the National Bureau of Investigation-Anti-Organized and Transnational Crime Division following a tip.
“Our agents went to the anchorage area upon receiving information that there were several vessels carrying alleged smuggled fuel and thereafter being transferred to lorry trucks,” said Customs commissioner Bienvenido Rubio.
Rubio acknowledged the operational challenges faced, saying, “A significant challenge in this operation is that this happened in a private port without BOC personnel, so the intel we received is critical.”
