Cops confiscate dynamited fish inSan Juan La Union

By Myds Supnad

SAN JUAN, La Union -- Police confiscated at least 160 kilograms of assorted dynamited fishes worth P16,000 last week at  a checkpoint along the national highway here in Barangay Poblacion.

Police reports showed  the dynamited fishes were placed by the suspects in eight styrofoam boxes loaded in a delivery truck.

Police identified the driver of the truck as Rolando Daruyo, 37,  resident of Salisay, Dagupan City, Pangasinan.

Police said the confiscated dynamited fish was owned by Jojo Fernandez, 38, of Dagupan City.

The fish was set to be delivered in public markets in Pangasinan when confiscated by the police.

According to fish examiner Margarita Santiago of the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources of Region 1, the confiscated fishes were caught through dynamite fishing based on her laboratory findings.

The suspected owner, however, was immediately released from police custody after reportedly paying a meager amount as  penalty.

The confiscated fishes were distributed to a charitable institution and jails in the province.