BOC seizes P10-M smuggled sugar

MANILA, Philippines - The Bureau of Customs (BOC) confiscated around P10 million worth of smuggled white sugar at the Port of Manila following an inspection yesterday.

BOC Commissioner Nicanor Faeldon said the goods were loaded in nine 40-footer shipping containers.

The contraband was discovered by the BOC Intelligence Group.

The goods have yet to be fully paid by consignee Lucky Sapphire Trading, the BOC said.

The shipments, which were declared as steel tube scaffolding from China, arrived at the Manila port on Aug. 11.

The consignee filed and paid an entry fee at the foodstuff and beverage section.

The questionable filing procedure prompted the BOC to issue an alert order on the shipment.

Apart from misdeclaration, the consignee was also found to have paid only P535,330 for the shipment, far from the estimated value of the confiscated goods.

CCTV cameras

Faeldon has ordered the installation of closed-circuit television (CCTV) cameras at the BOC main office in Port Area, Manila and other major ports in the country as part of his anti-corruption drive.

Faeldon said all frontline offices of the BOC, including his office, would be monitored through CCTVs starting next month.

“All transactions at the bureau can be seen on CCTV cameras to ensure transparency,” Faeldon said in a press briefing at Malacañang.

He also reported major accomplishments of the BOC such as the confiscation of 11 packs of shabu from a passenger from Hong Kong, discovery of high-powered firearms in a balikbayan box at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport and the implementation of various alert orders on smuggled items during his first 50 days in office.

Faeldon admitted that the bureau may not be able to reach its P406-billion target revenue collection for the year.

Faeldon has vowed to stop smuggling under his leadership. – With Christina Mendez, Giovanni Nilles