P60m worth of smuggled sugar, firecrackers confiscated by Subic customs

April 27, 2019

About P60 million worth of smuggled sugar and firecrackers were confiscated at the Bureau of Customs - Port of Subic on Friday.

According to Bureau of Customs, thirty-five containers which arrived in the port last March 31 and April 7 were ordered to be examined by District Collector Maritess Martin upon receiving information.

Thirty-four containers yielding 21,760 bags of Thailand refined sugar were found out to be misdeclared as floor ,mats and plastic floor coverings. BOC also added one container was filled with several boxes of firecrackers. 

The shipments came from Hong Kong and was consigned to JRFP International Trading. 

The Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency and the Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority - Law Enforcement Division (SBMA-LED) also examined the packages and declared it negative of illegal drugs. 

Immediate warrant of seizure and detention was issued.

Customs Commisioner Rey Leonardo Guerrero ordered the revocation of the importer and customs broker's accreditation. 

The suspects will face charges 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. Cristina Eloisa Baclig/DMS