Cargo van with illegal mineral ore seized in Zamboanga del Norte

PAGADIAN CITY, Zamboanga del Sur – – Authorities confiscated a wing van loaded with some 481 sacks of illegally sourced mineral ore during a joint operation by the Municipal Environment and Natural Resources Office (MENRO)-Sindangan, Office of the Provincial Environment and Natural Resources Officer (OPENRO), and the Sindangan Municipal Police Station on Thursday, Oct. 29.

The vehicle was flagged down around 10:45 a.m. in Barangay Ramon Magsaysay, Sindangan town following a tip regarding the loading of bagged mineral ore near the Siayan welcome arc along the boundary of Siayan and Sindangan towns.

Deputized Mines and Geosciences Bureau (MGB) personnel Martino Magallanes Jr. said he acted after receiving information from a informant who witnessed the loading of the sacks, prompting authorities to intercept the vehicle upon its arrival in Barangay Ramon Magsaysay.

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When questioned, the driver initially claimed the vehicle was transporting soil. However, upon consenting to open the unsealed cargo bay, authorities discovered the sacks containing mineral ore.

Failing to present legal transport documents, the wing van was escorted to the Sindangan Police Station for detailed inspection and inventory and later confirmed the shipment was illegally sourced.

The seizure receipt listed 481 sacks weighing approximately 50 kilograms each, totaling 24,050 kilograms. The seized mineral ore carries an estimated market value of P1,202,500.

The driver claimed the cargo was a “backload” arranged through an agent after they assisted in transferring the shipment from an original transport vehicle that had allegedly broken down.