Combined elements of the Bureau of Customs and (BOC), Philipine Coast Guard (PCG), and Philippine Marines have confiscated some P42 million worth of smuggled rice following a raid at warehouse in Barangay San Jose Gusu, Zamboanga City.
According to reports, the raid was conducted based on an Order of Forfeiture issued by Customs authorities last September 1, 2023, for the 42,180 sacks that were allegedly referred to in the shipment documents as “White Rice 15% Broken” but test results showed they were of Jasmine Fragrant Rice.
“However, upon verification of documents submitted and investigation by the ESS-CPD and CIIS, it was found out that the subject confiscated goods were not covered by requisite Sanitary and Phytosanitary Import Clearance (SPSIC) from the Bureau of Plant Industry,” according to BOC.
“Moreover, there were discrepancies in the actual seized goods from what was declared in the documents presented purportedly covering the same. The proofs of payment submitted referred to a shipment of ‘White Rice 15% Broken,’ while based on the actual examination, the seized sacks of rice were Jasmine Fragrant Rice,” the agency added.
The owners of the rice shipment are facing possible charges of violating the Rice Tariffication Law and Republic Act No. 10845, otherwise known as the “Anti-Agricultural Smuggling Act of 2016”.
Customs District Collector Arthur G. Sevilla Jr. stressed that the Port of Zamboanga will continue to monitor and act on reports regarding smuggling in all forms in pursuant to the marching order of Commissioner Bienvenido Y. Rubio and President Ferdinand R. Marcos to go after hoarders and illegal importers of rice.