The Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG) of the Philippine National Police (PNP) confiscated P25 million worth of illegal liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) cylinders in Caloocan City.

Citing a report on Sunday, CIDG chief PMGen. Nicolas Torre III said the police operation against an illegal LPG refilling station in Barangay 163, Sta. Quiteria last Friday was based on a search warrant issued by a Caloocan court for the unauthorized sale and distribution of petroleum products.

Authorities arrested eight employees during the operation: Dario of Valenzuela City; Jeorge of Pangasinan; John Paul of Pampanga; Simeon of Bulacan; and Orvin, Wilfredo, Serphil and Herbert, all of Masbate.

Torre said five suspects, including the business owners, are still at large.

“The Criminal Investigation and Detection Group has intensified its nationwide operation against intellectual property rights violations and trade malpractices involving liquefied petroleum products (LPG) across the country,” Torre said.

During the operation, authorities seized 38 empty cylinders; 42 filled cylinders; two weighing scales; two component hoses; two refilling pumps; one compressor; one bullet tank; and four vehicles: a Mitsubishi van, an Isuzu ELF truck, a Kia van and a HOWO truck.

The arrested suspects were charged before the National Prosecution Service for violating Section 40(c) in relation to Section 38(b)(2) of Republic Act 11592 (LPG Industry Regulation Act) for unauthorized cross-filling and manufacturing, distributing, refilling, or selling LPG cylinders carrying a trademark or trade name without the express approval of the trademark owner.