In a joint operation launched by the Department of Agriculture (DA), Philippine Coast Guard, Bureau of Customs, Bureau of Plant Industry, and Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency, at the Manila International Container Port (MICP) in Manila, the authorities confiscated P27.3 million worth of smuggled sugar, reports Manila Times.
James Layug, Agriculture Assistant Secretary for Inspectorate and Enforcement said that the sugar was smuggled through 11 container vans. The shipment came from China and was headed towards Kanluran Consumer Goods Trading.
The refined sugar worth P7.44 million was confiscated in three container vans on Feb 6, 2023, that carried motorcycle spare parts.
On February 15, at least P9.92 million of refined sugar was seized during the inspection of four container vans, he said.
Another P9.92 million worth of sugar was found smuggled inside four container vans on February 16, said Layug.
We are inspecting six more containers, he informed us.
The charges will be filed against the consignee for violation of Republic Act 10611 or the “Food Safety Act of 2013” and RA 10845 or the “Anti-Agricultural Smuggling Act of 2016,” he said.
