P15-million smuggled sugar seized at Manila port

MANILA, Philippines — The Bureau of Customs (BOC) has confiscated P15 million worth of smuggled sugar that arrived at the Manila International Container Port last month, an official said yesterday.

Ten shipping containers holding 5,000 sacks of sugar arrived from Thailand on July 13 and was misdeclared to contain refractory mortar, commissioner Isidro Lapeña said.

Refractory mortar, similar to cement, is used for building brick or stone fireplaces, or other installations which are subjected to intense heat. It weighs and looks like sugar.

The shipment was consigned to Don Trading, allegedly owned by Dennis Orlanda Narra with offices in Intramuros, Manila. The designated broker was identified as Ameloden Buruan Riga of Quiapo, Manila.

Lapeña said the owner and customs broker face charges of violating Republic Act 10845 or the Anti-Agricultural Smuggling Act of 2016.

Section 3 of Republic Act 10845 considers the smuggling of sugar in excess of P1 million as economic sabotage.

“I believe this importer is part of a cartel who holds the smuggled sugar and will only release the commodity once the market prices are high. One of the reasons why the prices of basic commodities are high is because the prices are manipulated,” Lapena said.

He added that they would conduct a full investigation to determine if there are BOC personnel involved in the smuggling of sugar into the country.