Cebu trader, broker slapped with smuggling case over alleged illegal rice import

MANILA, Philippines—The Bureau of Customs on Thursday filed a smuggling case against a Cebu based trader and his broker for illegally importing rice from Taiwan worth P6 million.

In a complaint filed before the Department of Justice (DOJ), facing a case for violation of the Tariff and Customs Code of the Philippines (TCCP) include JBD Trading owner Cecilio Durano, the consignee of 10 20-footer container vans of illegally imported rice from Taiwan and broker Joevel Delda.

The alleged illegally imported rice arrived at the Port of Cebu on Feb. 22, 2013 and was misdeclared as wall insulator slabs to avoid the required government import permit for all rice importations.