P40M smuggled rice seized by BOC in Zamboanga City

ZAMBOANGA CITY, Philippines — Smugglers continue to defy the government as law enforcers last week intercepted a huge shipment of smuggled rice at the port here.

Deputy Commissioner Jessie Dellosa of the Bureau of Customs said on Tuesday, the boat-load of smuggled rice, estimated to be worth P40 million, from Jolo, Sulu, was seized on July 28.

“It (shipment) was apprehended because it unloaded rice without any shipping permit from the National Food Authority (NFA),” Dellosa said.

Camilo Mactayo, regional director of the National Food Authority, said an estimated 20,000 sacks of smuggled rice were seized from the ML Aizalyn III.

“According to boat officials, the rice came from General Santos City, but when we checked it, there was no shipment this big from that city,” Mactayo said.

“Shipments like this are automatic ‘red light’ for us. It appears the rice is imported,” Mactayo said.

The local market value of each 50-kilogram sack is P2,000. SFM