BACOLOD CITY -- About 15.2 kilos of dried seahorses valued at P460,000 were seized by the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG)-Negros Occidental at the Banago port here Friday.
PCG provincial head Capt. Ludovico Librilla Jr. said they were informed by the Philippine National Police (PNP)-Maritime Group about a cargo reportedly containing dried seahorses on board a fastcraft to Iloilo City.
Librilla said he immediately directed Coast Guard personnel to coordinate with the fastcraft management for the search and inspection of the vessel and cargoes.
While the PCG personnel were conducting pre-departure inspection, Librilla said they found out that one parcel contained the endangered species.
Librilla said a man, whose name was withheld, left the cargo at the port after paying for the lading, but authorities later discovered that it was misdeclared as a box of dried fish.
The items have been turned over to the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) while investigation is ongoing to determine the receiver of the package and locate the whereabouts of the sender.
Under the Philippine Fisheries Code of 1998 transporting, taking, and selling of rare, threatened, and endangered fishery products are prohibited.
Violators could face a fine of P300,000 to P5 million or a three to five-year prison sentence if found guilty.