MANILA, Philippines — The Bureau of Customs (BOC) confiscated yesterday 100,000 sacks of commercial Thailand rice with an estimated value of P250 million at the Manila International Container Port (MICP).
Customs Commissioner Isidro Lapeña said the smuggled rice was loaded in 200 shipping containers.
This was the biggest rice smuggling intercepted by the BOC since Lapeña assumed office on Aug. 30.
BOC-MICP district collector Vener Baquiran issued a warrant of seizure and detention for the shipments.
Baquiran said they need to finish the forfeiture proceedings within five to 10 days since these are perishable goods.
The rice shipments, which were consigned to Sta. Rosa Farm Products Corp. with office address at 2025 Ipil street in Sta. Cruz, Manila, arrived at the MICP on different dates.
The BOC said the shipments did not have the necessary permits from the National Food Authority (NFA).
Lapeña said the goods could either be auctioned, donated or sold to the NFA to increase the country’s rice buffer stock.
“We will coordinate with the NFA the minimum bid for the auction and know the selling price (of this quality of rice) in the market or if it could be utilized for other purposes to augment our rice supply,” he said.
The BOC said the consignee of the shipments would be charged for violating the Customs Modernization and Tariff Act.
P18-million fake cigarettes destroyed
The BOC also destroyed P18 million worth of counterfeit cigarettes illegally imported to the country.
Lapeña led the destruction of 800 cartons of fake cigarettes bearing the brands of Mighty and Philip Morris imported by Zafari Trading.
The fake cigarettes were reportedly misdeclared as bags, fabrics, plastic films and paper.
The BOC also destroyed an estimated P4 million worth of assorted goods such as clothing, shoes, slippers and stationeries.
The shipments were not covered by import permit and clearance from the Food and Drugs Administration.
The products were consigned to Trikris Enterprises.