By Katrina Gracia Consebido
About 44,000 kilograms (kg) of allegedly smuggled red onions were seized in Barangay Cawit, Zamboanga City by Naval Forces in Western Mindanao (NFWM) on Tuesday, Jan. 23.
The NFWM, along with the Philippine Coast Guard, Marine Battalion Landing Team-11, Intelligence Operatives of Western Mindanao, Joint Task Force Zamboanga, and the Bureau of Customs District Zamboanga seized approximately 3,000 bags of smuggled red onions in a van.
A vessel was also apprehended transporting an estimated 8,000 mesh bags of contraband red onions, with each bag weighing 4,000 kilograms.
Another vessel loaded with 300 drums of illegal petroleum, oil, and lubricant products was also nabbed in the same area by the authorities.
The vehicle, watercraft, and smuggled items are being inventoried before being turned over to the appropriate agency. – gb
