BOC complaints vs sugar traders set for formal probe

Department of Justice (DOJ)

MANILA, Philippines — The Bureau of Customs (BOC) on Thursday said the complaints against sugar traders who allegedly violated Customs laws had been set for formal investigation before the Department of Justice (DOJ).

The BOC told INQUIRER.net that the complaints were filed on March 17, through the Bureau’s Action Team Against Smugglers, and are currently set for preliminary investigation.

However, no specific schedule has been determined yet.

According to the BOC in a statement, one of the complaints was against an importer and a customs broker for illegally importing 13 containers of refined sugar at the Manila International Container Port.

Meanwhile, the other two criminal complaints were filed against another importer and their customs broker for the alleged illegal importation of 58 containers of refined sugar at the Port of Subic.

The respondents are facing numerous counts of violation of the Anti-Agricultural Smuggling Act of 2016.

Meanwhile, from Jan. 1 to March 17 this year, the BOC said it had already filed 45 agricultural-related criminal complaints against importers and customs brokers involved in alleged smuggling and customs fraud.

“Our continuous filing of criminal complaints against perpetrators of illegal importation manifests our commitment to end smuggling,” said Customs Commissioner Buenvenido Rubio.

“We will continue to strengthen our border control measures and file cases against violators of Customs laws to ensure compliance among stakeholders,” he added. With reports from Denver Godezano, INQUIRER.NET trainee

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