IN line with President Ferdinand R. Marcos, Jr.’s directive to intensify the fight against smuggling, the Bureau of Customs (BOC) joined forces with the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) in a successful operation against fuel smuggling at Marina Beach, Brgy. Alas-asin, Mariveles, Bataan, on February 7.
The NBI-Criminal Intelligence Division (CRID), along with its Counterterrorism and Counterintelligence Divisions, led the enforcement action in collaboration with the BOC and other government agencies.
The operation resulted to the arrest of individuals suspected of involvement in the illegal importation and distribution of petroleum products.
Authorities seized a motor tanker, MV Effraine, and 11 lorry trucks — four carrying a total of 674,520 liters of illicit fuel valued at P22.438 million.
Fuel marking tests conducted yielded ‘failed’ results in both initial and confirmatory tests, confirming that the seized fuel did not meet legally required tax markings.
The owners, officers, and crew members of MV Effraine will face charges for violations of Republic Act No. 10863, or the Customs Modernization and Tariff Act (CMTA), and Republic Act No. 10963, also known as the Tax Reform for Acceleration and Inclusion (TRAIN) Law.
“This latest enforcement action aligns with the Marcos administration’s intensified campaign against economic sabotage and illicit trade,” said Port of Limay acting district collector Kriden Balgomera.
“The BOC will continue to work alongside the NBI and other enforcement agencies to ensure that those engaging in fuel smuggling are held accountable. This is part of our intensified campaign under the Bureau’s 5-Point Priority Program for 2025,” the official added.
The operation follows the successful joint operation by the BOC and the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG) last February 4 in Batangas province that resulted to the seizure of a tanker loaded with smuggled diesel, 11 lorry trucks and the arrest of some 26 suspects (Pinoy Exposé, February 6, 2025).