PHILIPPINE National Police Maritime Group (MG) personnel arrested a 40-year old smuggler engaged in illegal transport of gasoline on Thursday in Tawi-Tawi.
Citing reports of Police Brigadier General Harold Tuzon, Director, PNP MG, PNP Chief, Police General Dionardo Carlos announced the arrest of Nohman Abdul, a resident of Barangay Pagatpat, Bongao, Tawi-Tawi during intelligence-driven seaborne patrol operations conducted by operatives of Tawi-Tawi Maritime Police Station together with 1st Special Operations Unit personnel aboard High-Speed Tactical Watercraft (HSTWC) No.17.
Initial investigation disclosed that ABDUL was arrested by police while onboard a motorized banca locally known as ‘jungkung’ traversing along vicinity waters of Malassa, Bongao Tawi-Tawi.
Abadul failed to present pertinent documents to police proving the legality of transportation of petroleum products which led to his arrest and confiscation of motorized banca with marking M/B 3 Sisters, wooden hull, powered by single engine 85HP with defaced serial number and seizure of two hundred forty (240) gallons (6,000 liters) of alleged smuggled gasoline with an estimated market value of P360,000.00.
The arrested suspect together with confiscated pieces of evidence was subsequently brought to Tawi-tawi Maritime Police Station for proper documentation prior to turnover to the Bureau of Customs.
“Our PNP Maritime Group along with our Philippine Coast Guard will continue to provide support to our police regional offices by enforcing environmental and maritime laws directed towards the suppression of piracy, smuggling, poaching, illegal fishing, illegal entry, human smuggling, illegal logging, drug trafficking, gun-running, and terrorist activities in the country”, Carlos said.
A case will be filed against the suspect for violating RA 10863 “An act Modernizing the Customs and Tariff Administration”.
