At least P50 million worth of giant clams were seized during an entrapment operation conducted by operatives of the CIDG based in Negros Oriental.
The police operation stemmed from an information received by the CIDG that giant clams or ‘taklobo’ are being sold in the Fresh Sunny Botanical Garden compound, allegedly owned by a Taiwanese national.
The CIDG arrested during the entrapment operation 45-year-old RIcardio Sabtiana Dela Cruz Jr., who sold P5 million worth of giant clams to a police decoy.
Dela Cruz is said to be the trustee of a Taiwanese national named Yan Han Hu Liang alias “Sunny,” owner of the said botanical garden.
Authorities were able to confiscate 1,000 kilos of giant clams that were part of the sale, another 9,000 kilos of giant clams and the entrapment money.
A caliber .45 pistol, a caliber .45 magazine, and seven rounds of caliber .45 ammunition were also seized from Dela Cruz.
Dela Cruz, who is temporarily detained at the Bayawan City Police Station, will be facing charges for violations of RA 8550 or the Fisheries Code.