The Bureau of Customs seized some P60 million worth of smuggled sugar and firecrackers in Subic, Pampanga.
Port of Subic District Collector Maritess Martin said the contraband was discovered after customs agents examined 35 containers which arrived from Hong Kong which was consigned to JRFP International Trading.
“The 34 shipments declared as floor mats and plastic floor coverings yielded 21,760 bags of Thailand refined sugar, while the remaining container was found to contain several boxes of firecrackers,” Martin said.
Customs Commissioner Rey Leonardo Guerrero immediately ordered the revocation of the customs accreditation of both the importer and the customs broker and to file appropriate charges against them for violation of Section 1401 of the Customs Modernization and Tariff Act.
“We will not allow illicit traders to continue to violate our laws. The Bureau of Customs is consistently working on boosting our anti-smuggling measures through the acquisition of upgraded tools for inspection and examination and close coordination with our partner-agencies such as the Philippine Drugs Enforcement Agency (PDEA), the Philippine Coast Guard and the Armed Forces of the Philippines to beef up our fight against smuggling,” Guerrero said.
Meanwhile, the Sugar Regulatory Agency commended the Bureau of Customs-Port of Subic for its immediate action that led to the successful seizure of smuggled sugar.
“There are no illegal drugs stored inside the seized containers. K9 sniffing dogs inspected the containers and found out to be negative of drugs,” Guerrero added.