Bureau of Customs personnel inspect the sacks of alleged misdeclared refined sugar that arrived at the port of Subic in this photo taken on Thursday, March 2. (Photo courtesy of BOC)
SUBIC BAY FREEPORT — Bureau of Customs (BOC)-Port of Subic authorities on Thursday discovered more than 30,000 sacks of misdeclared refined sugar worth at least P150 million.
The BOC reported that it discovered 30,000 sacks of refined sugar in 58 containers that arrived at this freeport after being alerted by the Department of Agriculture about the shipments.
Customs Commissioner Bienvenido Rubio and Subic District Collector Maritess Martin led the examination of the shipments, which they would seize for violation of Section 1400, concerning Section 1113 (f) of the Customs Modernization and Tariff Act and Sugar Regulatory Authority and BOC Joint Memorandum Order No. 04-2002.
The BOC also examined two containers of squid rings loaded with several alleged misdeclared assorted frozen meat products worth about P40 million.
“The BOC continues to maximize its intelligence resources and intensify enforcement measures to thwart all smuggling attempts, especially those involving agricultural products that negatively impact our local farmers and businesses,” Rubio said.
He added: “It has always been a priority of the BOC to protect local consumers against the health hazards posed by these illegally imported goods.” INQ
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