P5-M mineral ores seized from 3 trucks in Lanao del Norte
SUA (left). (FB)
ZAMBOANGA CITY – A routine checkpoint for seat belt violations in Lanao del Norte led to the confiscation of some P5.3-million worth of mineral ores from three trucks, police said Monday.
A joint team of police and military personnel flagged down a truck along the highway for a visible violation of the Seat Belts Use Act of 1999 around 8 a.m. Sunday.
The driver, identified only as "Poldo," 47, of Valencia City, Bukidnon, was accompanied by his truck helper, 33, a resident of Malaybalay City, the Lanao del Norte Provincial Police Office (LDNPPO) said in a report.
Upon inspection, police found 546 sacks of alleged ore minerals with an estimated market value of P1.7 million. The driver failed to present legal transport documents for the cargo.
LDNPPO said intelligence reports prompted another checkpoint operation around 10:30 a.m. the same day.
Two more trucks, driven by "Mer," 32, and "Bert," 33, were flagged down and issued citation tickets for seatbelt violations.
Further inspection revealed that both vehicles were carrying a total of 1,110 sacks of ore minerals valued at approximately P3.6 million. Both drivers also failed to present legal transport documents.
In total, authorities confiscated three trucks and 1,674 sacks of ore minerals with a combined estimated value of P5.3 million.
All drivers and truck personnel were brought to the Kapatagan Municipal Police Station for documentation, police said.
The confiscated vehicles and mineral cargo are under the custody of the Lanao del Norte 2nd Provincial Mobile Force Company, pending megascopic analysis and examination by the Mines and Geosciences Bureau.
Police Col. Leo de Leon Sua, Lanao del Norte police director, said the "successful interception demonstrates the effectiveness of our intensified checkpoint operations and close coordination with partner agencies."