Government agents seized five trucks and a tanker carrying around 136,000 liters of what authorities believe is smuggled diesel fuel worth at least P148 million in Mariveles town in Bataan Saturday evening.
The operation was conducted by members of the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) and the Bureau of Customs (BOC).
Operatives reportedly saw 16 fuel trucks at the private establishment they raided.
Authorities also seized M/T Lorna-2, which was carrying from 80,000 to 100,000 liters of fuel.
A spectrometer test found that the fuel M/T Lorna-2 is carrying does not have the chemical markers present in legally imported fuel, authorities reported.
BOC-Customs Intelligence and Investigation Service (CIIS) Director Verne Enciso said that the estimated value of the fuel and 16 lorry trucks is P88 million, while the estimated value of the fuel inside the vessel is P60 million.
“Our agents boarded the M/T Lorna 2 at around 9 p.m. last night (Saturday). They immediately extracted samples of alleged smuggled fuel from the 12 compartments because these samples would need to be tested first,” he said.
The establishment that was raided was operating as a repair site for ships and boats, based on its registration in Barangay Alas-Asin.
“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,” Customs Commissioner Bien Rubio said.
Rubio also lauded the quality of the information received by the bureau, saying that such intelligence reports are crucial for the success of the operation.
He also welcomed the immediate action taken by the BOC-CIIS at the Manila International Container Port (MICP) operatives to verify the attempt to smuggle millions worth of unmarked fuel, which indicates the lack of necessary duties and taxes.
“Although holiday traffic is building, our officers will remain focused on their enforcement mission. We plan to keep the traffic moving while also keeping our eyes on the actions being taken by these groups and prevent smuggled and harmful products from crossing our shores,” he said.