P1.5-M illegal firecrackers seized

Police intercepted P1.5 million worth of illegal firecrackers at the North Luzon Expressway’s Malinta exit Sunday night.

They also arrested Antonio Nacion, who drove an Isuzu Elf (WSU-905), marked “fruit and vegetable dealer,” which contained the boxes of firecrackers they belive was manufactured by fly-by-night firecracker factories in Bulacan.

Chief Inspector Danilo Bugay, Station Investigation and Detection Management Bureau (SIDMB) chief, said among the kinds of firecrackers found in the truck were pla-pla, super lolo, og, bawang, sawa and Judas’ belt.

Bugay’s men also seized what he described as “less explosive” but more popular piccolo and watusi. Watusi, also called the “dancing firecracker,” can be fatal when ingested, health officials said.

STAR sources said the police received a tip that banned pyrotechnics would be transported in seemingly “harmless” vehicles like Macton’s through the North Luzon Expressway (NLEX) and take the exit in Barangay Malinta.

The seized firecrackers, police gathered, were to be delivered to store clients in Novaliches, Quezon City.

In an interview, Nacion said the owner of the cargo, whom he identified as a Mrs. De Ocampo of Sta. Maria, Bulacan, told him they were covered by proper documents but he failed to present any papers to the police.

STAR sources said Macton’s unidentified “benefactors” would simply post bail for him.