The joint military task force, ‘Operation Delta Safe’, impounded a vessel, MV Mother Mary I on Sunday, laden with 300,000 litres of illegally refined diesel.

OPDS impounded the vessel at the Federal Ocean Terminal in Onne, Eleme council area of Rivers and arrested its two crew members on Bonny River.

Component commander at the OPDS, Commodore John Siyanbade, told journalists at Onne near Port Harcourt on Thursday that the petroleum product was stored in giant black plastic tanks.

He said before the Sunday incident, OPDS had impounded two vessels, MV Cecilia and MV Ufuoma, used for illegal activities.

OPDS impounded MV Ufuoma in July on the Abuloma River.

Mr Siyanbade said the investigation showed that MV Cecilia, MV Abuloma and similar other vessels were used as storage tanks for illegally refined diesel.

He added that it was also found that other vessels, tankers and corporate organisations patronised the storage vessels to supply illegally refined petroleum products.

Mr Siyanbade stated those arrested would be handed over to appropriate authorities for possible prosecution.

(NAN)