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.