The BOC forfeits smuggled sacks of rice worth P42 million on Friday, Sept. 15 (Photo from BOC)
MANILA, Philippines — The Bureau of Customs-Port of Zamboanga (BOC-POZ) on Friday forfeited 42,180 smuggled sacks of rice worth P42 million.
The BOC, in a statement, said the sacks of rice were discovered on May 19, after a warehouse inspection in Barangay San Jose Gusu, Zamboanga City.
Customs agents then confiscated the rice after it was found to be noncompliant with Sanitary and Phytosanitary Import Clearance from the Bureau of Plant Industry.
Agents also found discrepancies between the goods’ import documents and the actual seized goods, specifically on Jasmine Fragrant Rice.
The BOC-POZ later issued an Order of Forfeiture against rice sacks on September 1, 2023, for violating Section 1113 (f) of the 2016 Rice Tariffication Law and Republic Act No. 10845.
“The forfeited goods shall be disposed of in a manner provided for by law,” the BOC said.
District Collector Arthur Sevilla Jr., meanwhile, emphasized the Port of Zamboanga’s commitment to monitoring smuggling reports, in line with President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos’ orders to combat hoarders and illegal rice importers. (Harold Hernandez, INQUIRER.net trainee)