Smuggling raps up vs imported soya consignee, boat captain
Iloilo -- The 6th Regional Maritime Office (RMO) on Monday filed a complaint for smuggling before the prosecutors office against the consignee of the imported milled soya beans intercepted at Estancia port on December 30, 2005. The contraband is believed to be worth P150,000.
Senior Inspector Greg Togonon of the 6th RMO said they have already filed the complaint against Elmer Amoyo of Mianay, Sigma Capiz and Jesus Ado of Jintutulo, Balud, Masbate. The recommended bail bond for their temporary release is P60,000.
Amoyo claimed he got the shipment in consignment basis from a certain Jun-Jun Tambal of Jintutulo Island, Balud Masbate. The shipment would be delivered to different retailers in the province of Iloilo. The milled soya beans is sold at a cheaper price.
Togonon said Amoyo, 39, is the consignee of the imported milled soya beans while Ado, 46, is the boat captain. The two were apprehended while they were loading the shipment from MBCA Hayato to the delivery truck.
Their arrest was made after the maritime group received an information that illegal shipment coming from Masbate would be loaded in the the port of Estancia. Elements of 601st Maritime Group and Iloilo Police Provincial Office were then fielded to Estancia port. The confiscated milled soya beans were packed in 214 sacks.
Other than the entry of imported milled soya beans, the maritime group also received information on the oil pilferage along Estancia port. As to date, none was apprehended for oil pilferage.
The operation was made since the consignee do not possess the pertinent documents relative to the shipment. The shipment is taxable under the Tariff and Customs Code and its entry to the country is considered illegal. The contraband was turned-over to the Bureau of Customs (BoC), said Togonon.