Two cousins were arrested for allegedly selling diesel illegally in separate operations in Talisayan, Misamis Oriental.

Personnel of the Misamis Oriental Maritime Police Station arrested a 21-year-old man in Barangay Puting Balas after he was allegedly caught in the act of selling diesel illegally.

“Yung mga intel operative namin nag conduct sila ng surveillance and then nakita nila positive nag conduct na dayon sila ug buy-bust operation,” Misamis Oriental Maritime Police Station Information Officer, Patrolwoman Mary Cris Dajao, said.

Seized from the suspect were 200 liters of diesel and three empty drums worth around P14,000.

Meanwhile, the suspect’s cousin, a 22-year-old man, was also arrested during a separate operation in Barangay Punta Santiago.

Confiscated from the suspect were 250 liters of diesel and 14 empty drums worth more than P34,000.

The diesel were from the tanker trucks that were allegedly involved in the illegal transfer of fuel or “paihi” scheme.

“Usually sino po ang bumibili? Yung mga drivers. Tapos yung mga dumadaan sa kanila na mga tricycle at yung mga truck driver din,” Dajao said.

Police reminded the public to avoid the “paihi” scheme as this is a violation of the illegal trading of petroleum products under Presidential Decree 1865.