PCG: A total of undocumented 20 drums of gasoline and 30 liters of diesel were confiscated by the personnel of Coast Guard Station (CGS) Brooke’s Point from an unmarked motor launch in Bataraza, Palawan last Friday, May 30. 

Information received by CGS Brooke’s Point revealed that said motor launch was arriving from Malaysia loaded with fuel oil and other taxable items. 

The joint team of CGS Brooke’s Point, Field Station Palawan, K9 Palawan and Bantay Dagat immediately conducted a maritime patrol at the shoreline of Purok 2, Barangay Inogbong in Bataraza while the personnel from Naval Intelligence Security Group, Marine Corps and Marine Battalion Landing Team took the land route to verify the veracity of said report.

While conducting maritime patrol, the team sighted the unmarked motor launch anchored at the vicinity where the fuel was already being unloaded.

The joint team confiscated a total of 20 drums of gasoline and 27 plastic containers loaded with 30 liters of diesel when Amar Abduhalim, owner of FB BMO Express, failed to show pertinent documents.

Further, an Isuzu Elf where the smuggled fuel were loaded, was also confiscated by the said joint team. The vehicle is owned by Amil Bahar Mahadali with plate number WLM 135.

It was also found out that FB BMO Express, was operating with expired documents.

CGS Brooke’s Point personnel issued a Maritime Violation Report to Abdulahim and advised to settle said violation within 10 days upon receipt. The confiscated fuel and vehicle is temporarily under the custody of CGS Brooke’s Point for proper turnover to the Bureau of Customs.