BOC seizes P20-M smuggled rice

MANILA, Philippines – The Bureau of Customs (BOC) confiscated around P20 million worth of smuggled rice from China at the Port of Manila yesterday.

BOC Commissioner Nicanor Faeldon said yesterday they are planning to donate the rice to the Department of Social Welfare and Development for distribution to victims of recent calamities.

Faeldon said the rice shipment was loaded in 12 40-footer shipping containers.

The contraband was misdeclared as leather materials, the BOC said.

The shipment consigned to RPR International Trading with business address in Sta. Cruz, Manila was placed on alert on Oct. 4.

Faeldon ordered the suspension of the consignee’s accreditation as an importer.