13 nabbed for alleged illegal fuel trading in Mandaue City

Thirteen men were arrested for their alleged involvement in the illegal trading of petroleum products in Mandaue City, Cebu.

The suspects were apprehended during a joint operation by the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG), CIDG Regional Field Unit 7 Special Operations Team, and the Philippine Coast Guard in Ouano Wharf, Barangay Looc, on February 17.

Authorities seized 30 drums of petroleum products, along with transport vehicles and a tanker vessel, with an estimated total value of P20.5 million.

In a statement, CIDG said a report submitted to its director, Robert AA Morico II, indicated that the suspects were caught in the act of transferring petroleum products—locally referred to as “crudo”—from a tanker vessel into container drums loaded onto a truck and offered for sale without the required license or authority from the Department of Energy.

The CIDG noted that the unauthorized sale or distribution of petroleum products for profit violates existing laws and regulations.

The unit urged the public to report illegal petroleum trading and other unlawful activities in their communities, assuring that authorities would act promptly on such information.—MCG, GMA Integrated News