BOC intercepts P125-M smuggled rice at MICP

MANILA, Philippines — Agents of the Bureau of Customs (BOC) confiscated yesterday P125 million worth of smuggled rice at the Manila International Container Port (MICP).

The 2,500 tons of white rice, which came from Thailand, were loaded in 100 shipping containers, according to Customs Commissioner Isidro Lapeña.

Lapeña said the rice shipment was consigned to Sta. Rosa Farms Products Corp. reportedly owned by Jomerito Soliman.

He said the BOC filed criminal charges against the rice importer before the Department of Justice last month for alleged illegal importation of 200 shipping containers of rice amounting to P250 million.

 Both shipments were not covered by import permit from the National Food Authority (NFA), the BOC said.

The latest shipment of rice arrived at the MICP on June 14 and was supposedly processed by Customs broker Diosdado Santiago.

On July 27, MICP district collector Vener Baquiran issued a warrant of seizure and detention for the cargo.

The shipment was seized for violating the Customs Modernization and Tariff Act and Republic Act 10845 or the anti-smuggling law.

Under the law, rice importers are required to secure a permit from the NFA.

The BOC chief said the NFA would test the confiscated rice to determine if the staple is fit for human consumption.? “Once it has been cleared for human consumption, it would be auctioned to increase rice supply in the market and stabilize prices,” Lapeña said.

“The proceeds of the auction will be held in escrow pending resolution of seizure,” he added.

The BOC believes that Sta. Rosa Farms, with office address at 2025 Ipil street in Sta. Cruz, Manila, allegedly hoards rice to manipulate prices in the market.

“They keep the rice supply and wait for the price to soar before releasing the goods to the market,” Lapeña said.