Customs seizes P34.5M worth smuggled sugar from Hongkong
Manila, Philippines – The Bureau of Customs (BOC) announced on Thursday that they have discovered smuggled sugar worth PHP34.5 million at the Manila International Container Port (MICP).
According to Customs Commissioner Bienvenido Rubio, the smuggled refined sugar arrived from Hong Kong in 10 containers and was falsely declared as 100,000 kilograms of silica sand per container when it arrived on May 27.
The smuggled sugar was uncovered during spot-check examinations conducted by Customs authorities and other partner agencies on July 11, following the issuance of Pre-Lodgement Orders (PLOs).
Rubio stated, “The PLOs were requested based on information that the shipment contains agricultural products, misdeclared and undeclared goods.”
The misdeclared shipment was consigned to a company called Smile Agri Ventures Inc., according to the BOC.
Deputy Commissioner Juvymax Uy of the Intelligence Group mentioned that Smile Agri Ventures Inc. may face multiple charges for violating the Republic Act 10863 or the Customs Modernization and Tariff Act.
The smuggled sugar will be subject to warrants of seizure and detention.