Joint task force to fight sugar smuggling in Cebu

MANILA, Philippines - The Sugar Anti-Smuggling Organization (SASO) and Bureau of Customs (BOC)-Cebu have teamed up to form a joint anti-smuggling task force, aiming to put an end to the perennial sugar smuggling problem in Cebu once and for all.

“This is in pursuance of the very close relationship of BOC-Cebu and SASO in the efforts against the illegal activity. Our cooperation with Customs is the cornerstone of the private sector anti-smuggling campaign,” said SASO head Joel Goltiao.

Goltiao said Cebu remains the flashpoint for sugar smuggling in the country, with Banilad and Talamban in Mandaue City pinpointed as supposed drop-off points of illegal shipments.

The task force is expected to give police powers to SASO such as gaining access to international and domestic ports, and conducting raids on suspected areas on the strength of BOC mission orders.

SASO, which was created barely a year ago, has had numerous successes in stamping out sugar smuggling not only in Cebu but all over the country.

In the past two months, SASO has aided the BOC in confiscating 71 container vans of illegal sugar shipped to the Manila International Container Port.