P219.5-M ‘smuggled’ fuel seized at La Union port; 21 nabbed

Authorities confiscate allegedly smuggled fuel valued at P219.5 million from a motor tanker and two lorry trucks at the La Union Port on Thursday, June 19, 2025. (Photo from the Bureau of Customs)

MANILA, Philippines — The Bureau of Customs (BOC) confiscated allegedly smuggled fuel valued at P219.5 million at La Union Port, leading to the arrest of 21 individuals.

In a statement Saturday, Customs said the seizure was the result of a joint operation with the Philippine Coast Guard and the National Bureau of Investigation last Thursday, following reports of a “paihi” scheme — the illegal transfer of fuel.

“The MT Bernadette was in the process of transferring diesel fuels to a lorry truck when our team apprehended them… Two lorry trucks were found containing diesel fuel from the motor tanker,” Customs Intelligence and Investigation Services Director Verne Enciso explained in the statement.

An initial inventory of the fuel confiscated showed the motor tanker was loaded with 200,000 liters of diesel while the lorry trucks had a total of 59,000 liters, Customs detailed.

READ: 2 nabbed for alleged illegal sale of P1M worth of petroleum products

During the operation, 10 crew members of the motor tanker as well as 11 drivers, porters and alleged lookouts and accomplices were apprehended.

The owners, ship captain and crew of the motor tanker, the lorry trucks and the confiscated fuel will face charges for violating Republic Act 10863 or the Customs Modernization and Tariff Act as well as RA 10963 or the Tax Reform for Acceleration and Inclusion Law. /jpv