MANILA, Philippines - At least 1,600 sacks of undocumented rice were intercepted by the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) on Sunday night.
The PCG said that its station in Zamboanga City alerted all its units after receiving a report tht a cargo vessel loaded with smuggled rice will arrive in the city.
At around 11 p.m., members of the PCG and the Philippine Navy intercepted M/B Erwana, a wooden-hulled cargo vessel, at around 11 p.m.
The operatives said that the crew of the motor boat failed to show proper documents for the shipment of the 1,600 sacks of rice.
The PCG said that the motor boat is owned and operated by a certain Adzman Hussin of Upper Port Holland in Maluso, Basilan.
Its operatives along with members of the Philippine Navy are on standby for the possible filing of charges in connection with the intercepted rice shipment.