ZAMBOANGA CITY – Authorities seized P832,000 worth of suspected smuggled petroleum and arrested three persons during a seaborne patrol operation in the sea of Barangay Mauboh, Patikul, Sulu on Tuesday, Dec. 20.
The Sulu Maritime Police Station and Patikul Municipal Police Station received a tip regarding the unloading of illegally transported diesel from Malaysia.
Lawmen swooped down the area and seized smuggled fuel from the M/L Alyabir Express, a motor launch with crew members Arilon Halji Ansuk and Ella Key-Ar Jamil.
The boat was loaded with 64 drums of diesel with an estimated market value of P832,000.
The crew members and the cargo were held after they failed to present papers legalizing the transport.
Investigation showed that the contraband was owned by a resident of Pangutaran municipality in Sulu while the boat’s owner is from Tawi-Tawi province.
The fuel was said to have been procured in Sempurnah, Sabah.