CITY OF SAN FERNANDO – Police seized some 93,000 liters of petroleum products and arrested nine individuals in a raid on a suspected illegal fuel trading operation in Tarlac City on Nov. 12.
Through a court-issued search warrant, the Police Regional Office 3 said joint personnel of the Regional Special Operations Group of the Regional Intelligence Division 3, Tarlac City Police Station, Tarlac PPO’s Provincial Intelligence Unit, and Criminal Investigation and Detection Group-Tarlac carried out the operation at a fuel distribution facility in Barangay San Rafael.
“Seized during the four-hour operation were nine tanker trucks containing approximately 88,000 liters of unleaded gasoline, 22 intermediate bulk containers holding 3,000 liters of gasoline, and two storage tanks containing 2,000 liters of diesel fuel,” the PRO-3 added.
Police also confiscated fuel transfer equipment, financial documents, and P146,537 in cash believed to be proceeds from fuel sales.
Arrested were the establishment’s 46-year-old owner and eight employees.
The suspects are facing possible charges for violation of Batas Pambansa Blg. 33, as amended by Presidential Decree No. 1865, which penalizes illegal trading and other prohibited practices involving petroleum products.
“Illegal fuel trading is not just about selling petroleum products without proper authority. These activities can undermine legitimate businesses, deprive the government of revenues, and potentially amount to economic sabotage,” said PRO-3 director BGen. Jess B Mendez. “We will continue to pursue those who exploit the fuel industry for illegal profit.”
The arrested individuals and confiscated items were brought to RSOG-RID3 for documentation and appropriate legal proceedings. PRO-3/Punto News Team
