PCG: Coast Guard South Western Mindanao (CGDSWM) Commander, Commodore LEOPOLDO V LAROYA PCG recognized the successful joint operations of the Coast Guard Station (CGS) Zamboanga and the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) that led to the discovery and confiscation of prohibited shells in the Port of Zamboanga.

A total of 805 pieces of endangered helmet shells, locally known as budyong, were found by the personnel of CGS Zamboanga and BFAR Regional Office XI during a joint inspection onboard MV Magnolia Liliflora upon its arrival at the Zamboanga City Pier from Jolo, Sulu.

An inventory conducted confirmed that sacks and cartons contained an assortment of budyong and were concealed at the middle of each package.

The confiscated shells, assessed to be worth Php 100,000, were turned over to Raffy Adeltone N. Tan of BFAR XI for proper disposition.

MV Magnolia Liliflora, a passenger/cargo vessel of 297.29GT, is owned and operated by Magnolia Shipping Lines Inc., and skippered by Capt. Alexardo Legada with 24 crew members onboard.