ZAMBOANGA CITY – Authorities have confiscated PHP2.4 million worth of smuggled fuel in separate law enforcement operations in Zamboanga City and Basilan province over the weekend, officials reported Monday.
The bulk of the seizure, valued at PHP2.3 million, was intercepted near a private shipyard in Barangay Cawit, Zamboanga City, past midnight on Sunday. The operation targeted the wooden vessel ML Dino Saja, which was carrying 40,000 liters of diesel. The vessel’s skipper, Moamar Hadjirul, failed to present cargo documents, leading to the seizure of the fuel and the boat.
District Collector Zsae Carrie De Guzman of the Bureau of Customs (BOC)-Port of Zamboanga stated that the confiscated diesel, reportedly from Tawi-Tawi, was placed under the custody of the BOC Water Patrol Division station in Barangay Recodo. A warrant for seizure and detention was issued for the vessel and its cargo.
In a separate operation in Basilan, police confiscated 89 gallons of smuggled diesel, amounting to approximately PHP100,000, in Sitio Little Cebu, Barangay Maganda, Lamitan City, around midnight on Saturday. The fuel was being transported in a truck, but the driver, identified as Englebert Ituralde Ulang, fled the scene before authorities could apprehend him.
The Lamitan City Police Station will turn over the truck and its cargo to the BOC for further investigation and appropriate action.
Authorities continue to intensify their operations against fuel smuggling in the region, emphasizing the need to curb illegal trade activities that affect the local economy and tax collection efforts. The BOC has reiterated its commitment to strengthening maritime patrols and coordination with other law enforcement agencies to prevent similar incidents.