OPDS has seized a vessel at the Federal Marine Terminal in Onne, Eleme Council River Area, Bonny River.
Joint Task Force Operation Delta Safe (OPDS) has arrested the vessel MV Mother Mary and her two crew members in Rivers State, carrying 300,000 liters of illegally refined AGO (diesel).
OPDS seized the vessel at the Federal Marine Terminal at Onne in the Eleme Council Area of the Bonny River.
Addressing newsmen in Port Harcourt on Thursday, the OPDS Commander, Brigadier General John Siyambade, who represents the OPDS Commander, Rear Admiral Olusegun Ferreira, disclosed that the ship was captured on October 29, 2023. did.
“The vessel which was arrested by teams from Headquarters Operation OPDS was leaving with over 300,000 litres of illegally refined products suspected to be AGO and with two suspects onboard at the time of arrest.”
“The product was illegally sourced and the vessel was used as storage for this illegal product, “Commandant Siyanbade said.
He also indicated that before Sunday`s seizure, OPDS had impounded two vessels, MV Cecilia and MV Ufuoma, which were being used for illegal activities.
“Vessels like this are being used as storage tanks for crude brought from illegal refining sites and other vessels and tankers take from them to go and sell to the public.”
“In recent times it has been found that some well-known companies and organisations have patronipatronizedmarkets and this seems to be the biggest market for those illegally refining crude.”
“OPDS will continue to handle illegal refining sites but going forward more effort will be put into the logistic chain cut-off. ”
The Commander also stated that the two arrested suspects will be handed over to the appropriate authorities for possible prosecution while warning all those who are involved in any form of illegality to stop immediately or the long arm of the law will catch up with them.
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