TACLOBAN CITY - At least P3.5-million worth of explosives, believed used in illegal fishing, has been recovered by the Northern Samar Police Provincial Office (PPO) Sunday, September 20, in the island town of San Antonio, Northern Samar.
Northern Samar PPO Director Col. Arnel Apud said the explosives and raw materials were being made into improvised dynamites that would be used for illegal fishing.
The seized items in Barangay Burabod are composed of 34 kgs. of tri-nitro toluene, 25,000 pieces of blasting caps, and 3.5 meters of detonating cord.
He added the confiscation of the contraband was the result of follow-up operations on an incident that happened last September 17, when an explosion hurt a still unidentified man and some explosives were also recovered also in the same barangay.
"Initial investigation disclosed that the place where the said seized items were recovered on the coconut land allegedly owned by a certain Maria Aleganza," Col. Apud shared.
He added that they were still conducting follow-up investigation in the area. He also assured that those who were found liable will face criminal charges.
The seized items will be brought to the Northern Samar PPO headquarters in Catarman town for documentation, and will later be turned over to the Explosive Ordnance Division for safekeeping and proper disposition.