NBI to start probing smuggled rice theft
The National Bureau of Investigation will investigate the pilferage of smuggled rice being stored at the Cebu International Port (CIP) container yard, according to its top official in the region.
Antonio Pagatpat, NBI Central Visayas chief, said the Oriental Port and Allied Services Corp. (Opascor), custodian of the cargo, requested for the investigation.
Malou Geyrosaga, representative of Opascor, said Opascor sought the investigation because “we deemed it to be our obligation.”
A report from Opascor said seals that locked at least eight container vans carrying 520 sacks of rice had been broken.
Broken seals
“We just saw the broken seals. We want the NBI to investigate and if our people are involved, they will be punished,” said Geyrosaga.
Geyrosaga said at least 1,169 container vans carrying the smuggled rice are at the CIP container yard for safekeeping.
Geyrosaga said only customs officials and employees are authorized to break the container vans’ seals.
The seized smuggled rice has been there since March.
In a memorandum for Customs Commissioner Ruffy Biazon dated July 16, Cebu Customs officials asked Biazon to immediately auction off the shipment to save it from further pilferage.
The smuggled rice, with an estimated value of P1.2 billion, came from Vietnam and arrived at the Cebu port between March 18 and April 2. The 1,194 container vans were misdeclared as stone slabs, ceiling insulator slabs, granite slabs and wall insulator slabs.
Customs officials earlier identified the eight consignees of the smuggled rice shipment as JJM Global Trading, with address at Room No. 212 Crown Building, North Reclamation Area, Cebu; JM-ARS Trading, 308 Crown Building, North Reclamation Area, Cebu; Neon Gateway Trading, Sta. Rosa, Poblacion, Alegria, Cebu; Custans Enterprises, 3H Gemini Building, MJ Cuenco Avenue, Cebu; Melma Enterprises, Room No. 201, GK Chua Building, MJ Cuenco Street, Cebu; NMW Enterprises, Marigondon, Lapu-Lapu City; Ocean Park Enterprises; and MMSM Trading.
In June, the bureau held an auction for part of the rice shipments.
