MANILA — In one of the largest fuel smuggling busts in recent months, Philippine law enforcement authorities seized over the weekend a tanker carrying 525,000 liters of diesel, valued at approximately P310.42 million.

The operation took place on February 4 off the coast of San Juan, Batangas, as the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) led an extensive interception effort.

At Subukin Port, Barangay Subukin, the PCG, together with the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG) and Philippine National Police (PNP), apprehended the motorized tanker MT Felisa. Additionally, authorities found 11 fuel trucks stationed nearby, believed to be preparing to distribute the illegal cargo.

The tanker and the trucks were seized, and the crew members of the vessel, along with the drivers of the fuel trucks, were taken into custody. They were then escorted to the Batangas Provincial Police Office for further investigation.

During the operation, the PCG’s Task Force Aduana K9 unit thoroughly inspected the tanker. While no illegal drugs or explosives were found, they made a startling discovery: the captain of the vessel was hiding in a secret compartment aboard the ship.

This operation underscores ongoing efforts by Philippine authorities to combat fuel smuggling, which continues to be a major concern for the country’s economy and security.

ia/mnm

Six billion pesos worth of suspected shabu went up in flames at Integrated Waste Management Inc. (IWMI) in Barangay Aguado, Trece Martires City on Friday, October 20, 2023.

The incinerated substances included 274 kilograms of methamphetamine hydrochloride, commonly known as shabu, seized from the Manila International Container Port (MICP) on October 6, 2023, and 208 kilograms of Dimethyl Sulfone, a shabu extender, recovered by the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) in Mabalacat, Pampanga on August 25, 2023.

The total weight of the destroyed narcotics amounted to 1,019,204.7581 grams, comprising 471,478.0639 grams of shabu, 312,993.9424 grams of Marijuana, and 208,909.00 grams of Dimethyl Sulfone.

These illicit substances underwent Thermal Decomposition, a process involving exposure to 1,000 degrees Celsius heat.

The disposal of these various drugs adhered to the regulations stipulated in Section 21, Article II of Republic Act 9165, also known as the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002, and Dangerous Drugs Board Regulation No. 1, Series of 2002.

The burned drugs were originally confiscated during multiple buy-bust operations carried out by the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA), in collaboration with the Philippine National Police (PNP), NBI, and other law enforcement agencies, and they were no longer required as evidence in court.

The event was attended by representatives from the Department of Justice (DOJ), the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG), local officials from Barangay Aguado, Trece Martires City, the PNP, NBI, various non-governmental organizations (NGOs), and members of the media.

(BENJIE CUARESMA/ai/mnm)