P10-million 'hot' rice from China seized

MANILA, Philippines - A total of 4,000 bags of rice valued at P10 million allegedly smuggled from China have been seized at the Port of Manila.

Customs Commissioner Rufino Biazon said the sacks of rice were found in eight 20-footer shipping containers.

They were misdeclared as aluminum frames and kitchen ware, Biazon said yesterday.

The bags of rice reportedly arrived at the Port of Manila last May and consigned to two entities: Seph Gabrielle Enterprises and Afidee Trading, with address at Unit 349 FEMII Building, Intramuros, Manila.

Deputy Commissioner Horacio Suansing Jr. said they became suspicious and placed the rice shipments on hold after noticing that the two consignees used the same address.

“After evaluating the post-surveillance report of my agents indicating the common address of consignees Seph

Gabrielle Enterprises and Afidee Trading... I immediately issued the order to alert the rice shipment,” he said.

“A common address for two or more different importers, especially the one-room type office space, is a red flag for possible bogus or fictitious importers. This usually indicates ill-financed front or bogus companies.”