The Bureau of Customs (BOC) is running after the members of a fuel smuggling ring in Bataan following the seizure last Dec. 16 of P7.8 million worth of smuggled diesel and gasoline from a privately owned port in the province.
The Customs Intelligence and Investigation Service (CIIS) is also tracking down four tankers allegedly involved in the smuggling operation.
According to Customs Commissioner Bienvenido Rubio, the CIIS team raided the private port and discovered 16 lorries trucks and one tanker vessel. The raid resulted in the seizure of 158,00 liters of unmarked diesel worth P7 .8 million and 4,000 liters of unmarked gasoline worth P1,759.
Four other tankers are believed to have been part of the smuggling operations are being tracked down.
Rubio tapped the CIIS to conduct further investigation and identify the groups behind the fuel-smuggling activity.
“Despite the holiday season, the bureau is working diligently to track down the four other tankers, and we will get to the bottom of this violation of our laws,” Rubio said.
Last Dec. 20, the office of the district collector of Port of Limay issued a warrant of seizure and detention (WSD) against 16 trucks with attached tanker trailers and one tanker vessel for violating Sections 117 and 1113 of the Customs Modernization and Tariff Act (CMTA) and Republic Act (RA) 10963, also known as The Tax Reform for Acceleration and Inclusion (TRAIN Law).
The lorries, tanker trailers, and tanker vessel were turned over to the Auction and Cargo Disposal Division of the Port of Limay.
The total appraised value of the unmarked fuel discovered in the vessels and lorries was P141,977,360.31.
The motor tanker vessel MT Lorna 2, believed to be the source of the diesel fuel loaded onto the trucks and trailers, was valued at P73.99 million, while the tractor head was valued at P41.5 million, and the lorries at P18.46 million.
CIIS director Verne Enciso disclosed that the raid stemmed from intelligence information they received from an unidentified source.
Rubio immediately issued an order to crack down on the fuel smuggling operations in Bataan.
“Initial and confirmatory tests yielded a failed result on the lorry trucks and the tanker vessel. This means that the fuel is lacking the necessary markings, indicating the lack of necessary duties and taxes,” Rubio said.
Customs deputy commissioner for intelligence Juvymax Uy said inquest proceedings have been conducted against at least 26 suspects, including the drivers and helpers of the trucks and tanker trailers for alleged violation of the internal revenue law.
The preliminary investigation is scheduled on Jan. 8, 2024, at the Office of the Provincial Prosecutor of Bataan.
“Our mission to intercept smuggled fuel is critical to the health of our economy. We will spare no effort in pursuing those responsible for this operation. Smuggling unmarked fuel not only harms our economy, but it is also dangerous and contributes to harmful auto emissions,” Uy said.