The Joint Task Force, “Operation Delta Safe” (OPDS) has arrested 17, crew members, impounded two vessels laden with illegally refined automotive gas oil popularly known as diesel.

The vessel, MV King James was laden with 400,000 litres while MV Messiah 1, is laden with 100,000 litres of illegally refined diesel.

OPDS impounded the vessels at the Federal Ocean Terminal in Onne, Eleme Council Area of Rivers and arrested its crew members on Onne River.

MV King James was impounded with seven crew members while MV Messiah 1, was arrested with 10 crew.

The Commander OPDS, Rear Adm. John Okeke, told newsmen at Onne near Port Harcourt on Wednesday that the petroleum product was seized by troops of the JTF, and handed to the Nigerian Navy Pathfinder.

He assured that those arrested would be handed over to appropriate authorities for possible prosecution.

He said that the vessels have no naval approval and no legitimate documents to allow her to carry products.

“The OPDS which I represent for the Navy is the statutory agency for oil approvals, it means that when a vessel is found without requisite documents it has defaulted,” he said.

Okeke, enjoined those indulging in oil theft, illegal refining and illegalities to stop and to look for legitimate businesses to do or be prepared to face the full wrath of the law.