Sulu: Authorities arrested eight individuals and seized PHP1.9 million worth of illegally transported forest products in Sulu, the police announced Tuesday. Maj. Fritze James Madrid, chief of the Sulu Maritime Police Station (Sulu MARPSTA), said the illegal shipment was seized around 9 p.m. Monday in waters off Tanjung, Barangay Kajatian in Indanan.

According to Philippines News Agency, Madrid reported that suspects onboard M/L Arnalyn II were arrested during a seaborne patrol conducted in response to intelligence about illegally transported lumber arriving in Tanjung. Upon inspection, M/L Arnalyn II was found to be loaded with 30,000 board feet of assorted lumber worth PHP1.9 million.

Madrid said the lumber originated from the island town of Languyan in Tawi-Tawi. The vessel and its cargo, along with the suspects, were placed under the custody of Sulu MARPSTA for proper disposition and the filing of charges.