MANLA – Members of the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG) seized PHP7 million worth of illegal liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) cylinder tanks and refilling equipment in Laguna province on Monday.
In a statement Tuesday, CIDG chief Brig. Gen. Nicolas Torre III said the Anti-Fraud and Commercial Crimes Unit (AFCCU) operatives raided the Buklod LPG Trading/Refilling Station in Barangay Sto. Angel Norte in Sta. Cruz town at about 6 p.m.
Seven workers were arrested during the operation while the police seized equipment such as hoses, refilling valves, scales, and two large storage tanks containing 15 tons of LPG each, along with other operational tools.
The police also confiscated desktop computers, laptops, printers, mobile phones, receipts, logbooks, production reports, and PhP 36, 650 in cash.
All confiscated items were secured at the Regasco plant in Pangil, Laguna, for safekeeping.
Torre said the suspects are facing charges for violation of Republic Act (RA) 11592 (LPG Industry Regulation Act) and Batas Pambansa (BP) 33 as amended by Presidential Decree (PD) 1865 (Illegal Trading of Petroleum Products).
They were taken to the CIDG Laguna Provincial Field Unit for documentation and the appropriate legal procedures.
“This operation demonstrates CIDG’s continued dedication to dismantling illegal operations that endanger public safety and disrupt the economy. We express our gratitude to the LPGMA Party List Task Force and the LPPO (Laguna Police Provincial Office) for their support and coordination,” Torre said.
2 Cameroonians nabbed for ‘black money scam’
Meanwhile, Torre said the CIDG Anti-Organized Crime Unit (AOCU) operatives in coordination with the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas nabbed two Cameroonians allegedly involved in a “black money scam”, where victims are lured to pay money for chemicals purportedly needed to convert counterfeit currency into real ones.
The suspects Abass Njintana, also known as Mossico White, and Ndoukouo Mama, were arrested in an entrapment in Barangay San Lorenzo, Makati City at about 6:40 p.m. Monday.
During the operation, authorities confiscated identification cards, five cellular phones, a notebook, Philippine peso and Euro bills, a small gray box with cotton, bottles containing unknown chemicals, two syringes, and dusted money.
The suspects would face charges for estafa, forging of treasury notes, using fictitious names and concealing true identity under the Revised Penal Code, as well as for violation of PD 247 (Prohibiting and Penalizing Defacement, Mutilation, Tearing, Burning or Destruction of Central Bank Notes and Coins).
The suspects and confiscated evidence are now in the custody of CIDG-AOCU for further documentation, investigation, and filing of appropriate charges. (PNA)