The Bureau of Customs (BoC) impounded two fuel tankers due to their involvement in oil smuggling.
BoC Commissioner Bienvenido Rubio said that the Customs Intelligence and Investigation Services-Manila International Container Port (CIIS-MICP) seized the vessels MT Tritrust and MT Mega Ensoleilee during an operation on Wednesday, September 17, at the Navotas Fish Port.
The operation yielded 370,000 liters of unmarked fuel or highly dutiable petroleum products, without proper fuel markings, which indicates non-payment of necessary taxes and duties.
Authorities estimate the seized oil products to be worth around Php 20.35 million.
"With this operation, our BOC officers showcased their vigilance and relentless efforts in protecting our communities from illegal and potentially harmful products," Rubio said in a news release.
BOC-CIIS Director Verne Enciso said that the operation stemmed from a derogatory information regarding MT Tritrust, which carried 330,000 liters of unmarked fuel, and MT Mega Ensoleilee, which has 40,000 liters.
"Upon receiving the derogatory information, our CIIS-MICP agents worked together with EG-Fuel Marking Agents and the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) Task Force Aduana and boarded one of the PCG’s water assets to conduct anti-smuggling operations in the areas of Navotas Fish Port," Enciso said.
"After spotting the vessels and explaining the purpose of the Mission Order to their representatives, the team conducted fuel marking testing, which the two vessels both failed," he added.
