157 boxes of firecrackers confiscated in Urdaneta

By Christian D. Supnad

URDANETA CITY, Pangasinan- Police confiscated the Wednesday 157 boxes of banned firecracker materials that was to be delivered to Laoag City.

Senior Supt. RosuetoRicaforte, Pangasinan police director, said in his report to Chief Supt. Franklin Bucayu, Region 1 police director, said they they got information that a shipment of banned firecrackers and pyrotechnics were loaded on a ten wheeler truck bearing PN RIS 756 with markings “vegetable dealer SR FLORES GENERAL MERCHANDIZE” for delivery to Ilocos Norte.

Ricaforte said joint elements of law enforment units in coordination with Urdaneta police, under the direct supervision of Supt. Ronald Gayo, established a checkpoint along Maharlika Highway here in Barangay Nancayasan at about 1:30 a.m. on Oct. 30 that resulted to the confiscation of the contraband which included banned pyrotechnics such as picholo and A6 rockets.

The said truck was driven by Nelson Eugenio, a resident of Barangay 23, Laoag City.

“Initial investigation disclosed that during the inspection of the ten-wheeler truck, the operatives noticed in plain view several brown boxes that were stockpiled inside the truck and partly hidden by some banana crates and flour sacks,” said Supt. Gerry Roxas, police spokesman.

Roxas said the driver readily admitted that the boxes contained firecrackers and pyrotechnics that were shipped out from a warehouse in Jaboneros, Binondo, Manila and consigned to a certain Mario Lim of Laoag City.

The apprehended truck and confiscated firecrackers were brought to provincial police office for inventory and proper disposition, said Ricaforte.