MANILA: Philippines Authorities arrested 14 persons and seized more than 1,000 sacks of sugar in Zamboanga City, foiling an attempt to smuggle the commodity into the country.
Inspector Dahlan Tidal Sammudin, spokesman of the Western Mindanao police officer, reported to Camp Crame said the eight crewmen of the M/L Ylaiza Maye V and six laborers were arrested after they failed to present documents for the transport of the 1,146 50-kilo sacks of sugar onboard the vessel.
The ship was intercepted around 9 p.m. by patrolling police and coast guard personnel between Barangays Sangli and Bolog in Zamboanga City.
The suspects are in the custody of local police while the sugar was turned over to the Bureau of Customs.