BOC seizes in Batangas 80,000 bags of smuggled sugar from Thailand
MANILA, Philippines — The Bureau of Customs (BOC) on Saturday said it apprehended a vessel in Batangas for transporting 80,000 bags or 4,000 metric tons of smuggled imported refined sugar from Thailand.
Seized from the VOI M/V Sunward were 80,000 bags of smuggled sugar, each weighing 50 kilograms, with an estimated value of P240 million.
The vessel was apprehended at the vicinity of the Bauan and Mabini breakwater on Friday, the BOC said.
According to the BOC, the cargo was consigned to Stone Int’l. Co. Ltd. The shipper was identified as The Thai Sugar Trading Corp.
The BOC said the operation was hatched after it received information that the vessel was transporting the sugar with no Notice of Arrival filed with the agency.
Batangas Port District Collector Rhea Gregorio issued the corresponding Warrant of Seizure and Detention (WSD) for the vessel and its cargo of sugar.
“We are appalled at the audacity of these groups to continue with their activities,” Customs Commissioner Yogi Filemon Ruiz said in a statement.
For his part, Customs Deputy Commissioner Juvymax Uy said the operation is in line with the directive of President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. to enforce stricter measures against smuggling.
“We are well-aware that there is a buzz surrounding our operations lately because of the high prices of sugar, onions, and many others in the market. The initiatives of our field agents enable us to work together, yes; but more importantly, it shows also our desire to not only follow the directive of our President, but to work for the good of our people and protect them from this economic sabotage,” he said.
Marcos is pushing for a major system-wide reform to stop smuggling, saying the present system is not working.
