The Bureau of Customs – Customs Intelligence and Investigation Service is tracking down four other tankers connected to the smuggling of 158,000 liters of unmarked fuel in Mariveles, Bataan recently.

Last 16 December 2023, the agency seized a total of 16 lorry trucks and one tanker vessel involved in the smuggling off a private port in Mariveles, Bataan, but four other tankers are believed to also be a part of the smuggling operations that yielded P7,807.051.41 worth of 154,000 liters of unmarked diesel and P188,759.07 worth of 4,000 liters of unmarked gasoline.

A Warrant of Seizure and Detention was issued by the Office of the Collector of Customs, District Port of Limay, Bataan last December 20, 2023 against 16 lorry trucks with attached tanker trailers and one tanker vessel for violation of Sections 117 and 1113 of the Customs Modernization and Tariff Act (CMTA) and Republic Act (RA) No. 10963, otherwise known as The Tax Reform for Acceleration and Inclusion (TRAIN Law).

The seized vessels and their conveyances were turned over to the custody of the Auction and Cargo Disposal Division of the Port of Limay.

The total appraised amount for the unmarked fuel found inside the vessels and the lorry trucks and tanker vessel is P141,977,360.31.

The motor tanker vessel MT Lorna 2, believed to be the source of the diesel fuel loaded unto the lorry trucks and trailers, was estimated to be worth P73,993,554.23, while the tractor head is valued at P41,520,478.40 and the lorry at P18,467,517.20.

Noting the importance of the information the bureau received shortly before the operations, BOC-CIIS Director Verne Enciso said a Mission Order (MO) was immediately issued upon verification of the "derogatory information that there were several vessels carrying alleged smuggled fuel and attempting to discharge the same."

"Initial and confirmatory tests yielded a failed result on the lorry trucks and the tanker vessel. This means that the fuel is lacking the markings, indicating the lack of necessary duties and taxes," he explained.

Customs Deputy Commissioner for Intelligence Juvymax Uy added that inquest proceedings were already conducted against the alleged drivers and helpers of the lorry trucks and tanker trailers in violation of Sections 1401 and 1430 of the CMTA, Sections 148-A, 254, and 265-A of the National Internal Revenue Code (NIRC), as amended by the TRAIN Law.

The preliminary investigation is set for 8 January 2024 at the Office of the Provincial Prosecutor of Bataan.

"Our smuggled fuel interdiction mission is vital to the health of our economy. We will leave no stone unturned in running after the perpetrators behind this operation. Smuggling unmarked fuel does not only hurt our economy, but it is also unsafe and it causes harmful auto emissions," Uy said.