Vessel with P5.8 million smuggled fuel held in Zamboanga
THE Bureau of Customs – Port of Zamboanga, in coordination with the Customs Intelligence and Investigation Service (CIIS), Enforcement and Security Service (ESS), Water Patrol Division, TG Aduana SWM/BARMM, and the Coast Guard Inspector General – Southwestern Mindanao (CGIG-SWM), seized a vessel loaded with smuggled fuel products worth Php 5.8 million at Brgy. Cawit, Zamboanga City last September 9, 2023.
The belated report stated that the operation was prompted by an intelligence report that the vessel, which departed from Taganak Island, Tawi-Tawi bound for Zamboanga City, was carrying smuggled fuel products.
The ‘M/L Zshahuny II’ was apprehended while unloading fuel at Brgy. Cawit, Zamboanga City. When asked to present documents to prove the lawful importation of the fuel, the crew were unable to present any, the report added.
District Collector Arthur Sevilla, in his report to BOC Commissioner Bienvenido Rubio, said their inventory disclosed that the vessel was carrying some 89,600 liters in diesel fuel worth some P5.8 million while the vessel itself was valued at around P3 million.
The captain and crew of the vessel along with others involved in the smuggling attempt but who were not identified in the report have been profiled for the filing of appropriate charges.
The vessel and its cargo are now under the custody of the BOC for the conduct of seizure and forfeiture proceeding.
