Russia-bound helmet shells confiscated in Lapu-Lapu

SUNDAY’s police apprehension of a  multicab  for lack of a permit yielded  20 sacks of  rare helmet shells in Lapu-Lapu City.

The cargo of protected bullmouth helmet shells (Cypraecassis rufa), locally known as budjong, was  known during yestedray’s  inventory by the City Fisheries and Aquatic Resource Management Council.

Sacks of common  snail shells were just used on top to  hide the rare  seashells in the cargo.

SPO1 Jomar Ybañez who led the operation  of Task Force Kalikasan said the rare  shells came from Surigao City and were brought to Bohol  province before reaching Lapu-Lapu City.

Two men who were apprehended with the cargo were on  their way to drop the goods near Parkmall  in Mandaue City where their buyer was waiting.

The seashells were to  be exported to Russia, according to the police.

The suspects said they  were just hired to pick up the sacks of snail shells at sitio Malingin in barangay Punta Engano and deliver them  to Parkmall  where  a Chinese buyer was waiting.

They did not name their contact or the buyer.

Fishery Administrative Order 208 prohibits the taking or catching of bullmouth helmet shells.

Violators face  12 to 20 years imprisonment or a fine of P120,000 or both, at the  discretion of the court.

Avelino Serbella and Reynaldo Alo were detained in the Lapu-Lapu City detention cell pending the filing of charges against them. /Correspondents, Fe Marie D. Dumaboc and Norman V. Mendoza