MANILA, June 21 -- The Bureau of Customs (BOC) on Saturday reported the discovery of PHP219.5 million worth of smuggled fuel at the La Union Port, where 21 individuals were apprehended.

BOC-Customs Intelligence and Investigation Services (CIIS) Director Verne Enciso said a team that included the Philippine Coast Guard, Task Force Aduana, and National Bureau of Investigation-Organized and Transnational Crime Division caught M/T Bernadette on the act of "paihi" or the illegal transfer of fuel.

"The MT Bernadette was in the process of transferring diesel fuels to a lorry truck when our team apprehended them at around 9:45 in the evening of June 19. Two lorry trucks were found containing diesel fuel from the motor tanker," the BOC said in a...