Customs conducts probe into bunker fuel smuggling try

MANILA, Philippines - The Bureau of Customs (BOC) said yesterday it is continuously conducting an investigation into the alleged attempt to smuggle P60-million worth of bunker fuel at the North Harbor last month.

A Customs official, who requested anonymity, said that the case is being heard at the Manila International Container Port (MICP) and at the same time they are doing follow up investigations on the matter.

The seizure of the shipment was ordered by BOC-Run After the Smugglers (RATS) Program head Deputy Commissioner Gregorio Chavez.

The BOC also issued a warrant of seizure of detention.

BOC-Enforcement and Security Service (ESS) acting director Jose Yuchongco said that he has been aiding assistance to the RATS, by providing security personnel to ensure that the two vessels, the M/V Chelsea and M/T China Venture, would not leave the port.

Initial information showed that the BOC reportedly detained two vessels that were allegedly about to bring out P60 million worth of bunker oil from the Manila North Harbor.

The RATS program operatives discovered the crew of M/V Chelsea reportedly in the act of pumping oil into the M/T China Venture last Jan. 17.

Customs Commissioner Angelito Alvarez earlier said that based on the information he received it appeared that some 59,000 liters of diesel and five million liters of lube oil have already been transferred. “We have yet to determine how many liters of oil were left with M/V Chelsea,” he said.

They would also seek the assistance of the Department of Energy (DOE).

Alvarez had added that in the attempt to spirit the diesel oil and lube oil, the smugglers allegedly might have wanted to avoid paying the P10 million taxes and duties. But in the end, it turned out to be more costly for them since the BOC would be confiscating not only the oil products, but the two vessels as well in favor of the government.

He intends to put on auction the confiscated vessels and smuggled bunker oil.

Alvarez said this was a modus operandi because “bunker oil should only be transferred to a vessel that would be used for international operations. If it would be used for domestic, they should pay the duties and taxes. They failed to present any document showing that they paid the appropriate duties and taxes, so this is clearly a smuggling case.”