Mbanza Kongo – A vessel carrying 12,500 liters of fuel was seized on Saturday, on the high seas, by the Border Guard Police, in the municipality of Soyo, Zaire province.
In a note sent Sunday to ANGOP, in Mbanza Kongo, the corporation informs that the vessel was seized during a maritime patrol carried out by forces from the Mbubu Naval Squadron, 15 miles from the coast.
He adds that the ship loaded with petroleum products was destined for the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) and was being escorted by three citizens from this neighboring country, who were on board another modern fiber vessel with an 85 kv engine.
“After pursuit, the alleged smugglers abandoned the vessel carrying 500 plastic containers of 25 liters each filled with diesel fuel on the high seas and fled on a support vessel,” the report states.
Valued at two million and 500 thousand kwanzas, the seized fuel was handed over to the customs authorities in the municipality of Soyo for legal processing.
On the other hand, two citizens of both sexes were arrested this Sunday morning, by the National Police, in the municipality of Nzeto, after being found with 555 liters of diesel inside a vehicle.
According to the police, the accused, from the municipality of Mbanza Kongo, were approached by the corporation's staff on duty in the Mambu Mampa neighborhood, on the outskirts of Vila do Nzeto, after having purchased the product at one of the pumps in the district.
“After purchasing the diesel, the two occupants of the Toyota Corola light vehicle intended to take the fuel to the border commune of Luvo, municipality of Mbanza Kongo, where it would be sold”, the note also reads. J.L/DOJ.
