Philippine force stops smugglers

Philippine force stops smugglers

MANILA (AFP): A Philippine antismuggling task force said on
Friday it intercepted five ships in southern seas carrying tons
of smuggled rice and sugar worth an estimated 101.65 million
pesos (US$2.54 million).

Task Force Aduana, in a statement, said an operation was
carried out last Wednesday against a smuggling syndicate
operating in the southern port of Ozamis city, where ships were
believed to be dumping smuggled goods from nearby countries.

Task force commander Lt. Gen. Jose Calimlim said operatives
took by surprise five ships which were about to dock in the port.
Two of them tried to elude authorities by sailing back to open
seas, but were escorted back after a brief chase by air force
helicopters.

Investigations showed three of the ships came from Thailand,
while one came from China. It did not say where the fifth
originated. The ships were not carrying proper papers or customs
declarations.