P2.8 million smuggled fuel seized off Tawi-Tawi

ZAMBOANGA CITY, Philippines — Smuggled fuel products worth P2.8 million were intercepted in Tawi-Tawi on Sunday.

Five persons were arrested in the incident that occurred in the coastal waters off Sitangkai at around 10:30 a.m.

Personnel of the Tawi-Tawi police, Regional Intelligence Unit and Bureau of Customs launched the operation after receiving information about the transport of the contraband.

The fuel products were loaded in a barge manned by five Filipinos, according to Col. Richard Verceles, operations chief of the Area Police Command-Western Mindanao.

The barge, which came from Malaysia, was found to be carrying 10,000 and 60,000 liters of diesel and gasoline, respectively, with a combined value of P2.8 million.