BOC intercepts over P1.2M worth of smuggled rice, cigarettes in Zamboanga City

MANILA, Philippines — Bureau of Customs (BOC) agents have intercepted more than P1.2 million of smuggled rice and cigarettes in Zamboanga City.

The smuggled rice were seized from ML Nhardzrmar-2 that was docked at Weebin Private Wharf, Baliwasan Seaside, Zamboanga City. The cigarettes were confiscated from MV Trisha Kirstin-1 of Aleson Shipping Lines.

A source from BOC’s Intelligence and Investigation Service told INQUIRER.net on Wednesday that the raids were launched separately early this week.

According to the source, the 196 sacks of rice valued at P735,000 were seized on August 19, Monday around 7 a.m.

The rice product was considered a high quality grain from Vietnam, and was transported to Sulu, before distributing it to Zamboanga City.

The source added that the sacks of rice were mixed with copra products.

The cigarette shipment valued at P500,000 were seized on Wednesday, August 20, at 6:30 p.m. There were six boxes of various cigarette brands found in the vessel.

The source said that the contrabands were placed in big boxes. The cigarettes originated from Indonesia-Malaysia, the source added.

In total, BOC operatives seized P1,235,000 worth of smuggled rice and cigarettes from the two operations.

The source said the identities of the contraband’s recipient were still unknown as no one has showed up to claim the shipments.

The seized goods and the vessels were turned over to the BOC for the issuance of Warrants of Seizure and Detention for violation of the Anti-Agricultural Smuggling Act of 2016 and R.A 8293.