Six trucks of ‘hot’ copper seized; 10 suspects nabbed

By George Trillo

SAN JOSE, Nueva Ecija – Police arrested 10 persons Tuesday for alleged illegal transport and shipment of undocumented copper concentrates here at a checkpoint on Maharlika Highway.

The Nueva Ecija Provincial Police Office reported six international tractor trucks with container vans loaded with an undetermined volume of copper concentrates were stopped at the checkpoint and impounded.

Senior Supt. Crizaldo O. Nieves, PPO director, said the trucks came from the Ocean Gold Mining company located in Barangay Didipo, Kasibu, Nueva Vizcaya.

Nieves formed a special team of operatives that set up the checkpoint in Barangay Sto. Niño 2nd, San Jose City, upon receipt of confidential information on the supposed illegal shipment passing by the area.

Police identified the six truck drivers as Leonard Sanchez, 33, of Barangay Shellhouse, Caloocan City; Yulito Palces, 53, of Barangay Alfonso, Concepcion, Tarlac; Martin Redera 37, of Dagat-Dagatan, Malabon City; Lope Amurao, 43 of Barangay Talisay, Tiaong, Quezon; Jonny Abrego, 31, of Purok 2, Maag, San Isidro, Davao Oriental; and Jay Laceda, 29, of Cupang, Pandi, Bulacan.

Escorting the convoy of the six trucks loaded with the copper concentrates were two Toyota Hi-Lux vehicles driven by Albert Gomez, 44, of 99 Mayon Ext., San Gabriel Village, Tuguegarao City, and Rio Dannug, 42, of Alibagu, Ilagan, Isabela.

The arrested failed to show to the police investigators the original documents of the shipment of suspected copper concentrates.