P34.5 million smuggled sugar seized at MICP

MANILA, Philippines — The Bureau of Customs (BOC) intercepted at least P34.5 million worth of alleged smuggled refined sugar imported from Hong Kong, at the Manila International Container Port (MICP) on Tuesday.

In a statement yesterday, the BOC said 10 containers of sugar arrived at the MICP on May 27 and were declared to contain 100,000 kilos of silica sand.

The shipment’s consignee, Smile Agri Ventures Inc., failed to claim the goods, prompting the Customs Intelligence and Investigation Service (CIIS) to inspect the containers.

CIIS personnel conducted a spot check on five of the 10 containers, which yielded refined sugar valued at P17,250,000.

The BOC said another examination is scheduled for five more containers believed to contain another P17,250,000 worth of smuggled agricultural product.

Customs Commissioner Bienvenido Rubio said the examination was conducted after the CIIS unit at the MICP filed a request for the issuance of Pre-Lodgment Orders (PLO) on June 30.

“The PLOs were requested upon information that the shipment contained smuggled and undeclared agricultural products,” Rubio said.

CIIS director Verne Enciso said Customs agents verified the information about the contents of the shipment.

The CIIS recommended the issuance of warrants of seizure and detention for the smuggled sugar.

Enciso said the inspection was conducted by the assigned Customs examiner, together with representatives from the CIIS, Enforcement and Security Service, Philippine Coast Guard, Customs Anti-Illegal Drug Task Force and Chamber of Customs Brokers Inc.

BOC Intelligence Group Deputy Commissioner Juvymax Uy said the consignee is facing violations of Republic Act 10863 or the Customs Modernization and Tariff Act.