Manila, Philippines - A motor tanker and several oil tankers, which contained smuggled fuel, were seized in Bataan on Saturday night.
The Bureau of Customs-Customs Intelligence and Investigation Service (BOC-CIIS) and National Bureau of Investigation conducted the operation at a private port in Barangay Alas Asin in Mariveles after receiving reports that smuggled fuel was being transferred from a vessel to lorry trucks.
“A significant challenge in this operation is that this happened in a private port without BOC personnel. The intelligence we received is critical,” Customs Commissioner Bienvenido Rubio said.
BOC-CIIS Director Verne Enciso estimated the value of the smuggled fuel and lorry trucks at P88 million.
Enciso said 11 oil tankers were seen in the area, four of which were found to contain 32,000 liters of fuel.