By Alec Go
The Bureau of Customs (BOC) discovered P90,442,850 worth of smuggled sugar and cigarettes following an inspection of five container vans at the Manila International Container Port (MICP) on Friday, Feb. 17.
The shipments containing “misdeclared and undeclared sugar and cigarettes” arrived between Jan. 5 and Feb. 12 this year, according to the BOC. Three of the shipments were from Hong Hong and two were from China.
“These contrabands threaten the economy and put Filipino consumers at risk. I’d like to assure everyone that we are equally relentless in our efforts to keep our borders secure from these smuggling activities,” Customs Commissioner Bienvenido Rubio, who led the inspection, said.
Intelligence Group Deputy Commissioner Juvymax Uy said the bureau has been “actively monitoring” information on shipments possibly loaded with smuggled goods, as part of the “non-stop campaign” against illegal activities.
Cases will be filed for violations of Section 1113 (Goods Liable for Seizure and Forfeiture) in relation to Section 117 (Regulated Goods) of Republic Act No. 10863 or the Customs Modernization and Tariff Act.
Also violated were Republic Act 10845 or the Anti-Agricultural Smuggling Act of 2016, Sugar Regulatory Administration rules and regulations, and National Tobacco Administration rules and regulations. – gb
