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Raps filed vs. importers of seized shabu, sugar


The Bureau of Customs (BOC) has filed criminal charges against the importers of alleged illegal drugs and smuggled sugar.

In a statement on Friday, the BOC said it has filed criminal complaints before the Department of Justice (DOJ) against the registered owner of Vecaba Trading, the consignee for the importation of white crystalline substance identified as methamphetamine hydrochloride or shabu into the country.

The respondent is accused of violating Section 1401 or "Unlawful Importation" in relation to Section 118 (g) "Prohibited Importation," pursuant to Section 4 and 5 of RA 9165 or the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002.

According to the BOC, the shipment from Malaysia was said to contain door frames, but upon inspection and 100 percent physical examination, it was found to actually contain two magnetic lifters containing 355 kilograms of shabu estimated to be worth around P2.4 billion.

The shipment arrived in the country on June 28, 2018 and was deemed abandoned after the consignee failed to file an entry document within 30 days from the date of discharge.

The BOC also filed four criminal charges against the officers of Red Star Rising Corporatio for violation of Section 1401 "Unlawful Importation" in relation to Section 117 of the Customs Modernization and Tariff Act (CMTA) and Section 3 of R.A. 10845 otherwise known as the Large-Scale Agricultural Smuggling as Economic Sabotage Act.

This came after the BOC discovered abandoned shipments consigned to Red Star Rising Corporation on August 9.

The bureau found that the shipments described in the manifest as packaging materials, kitchen utensils, and kraft paper were found to contain refined sugar.

Apart from misdeclaration, Red Star Rising Corporation has no import permit issued by the Sugar Regulatory Administration, according to the BOC.

The total estimated value, including duties and taxes, of the subject shipments of sugar is P59,761,849.00.

Following its apprehension, a certification was subsequently issued by the Sugar Regulatory Administration certifying that Red Star Rising Corporation is not a registered trader, and that the same has no pending application as trader for the Crop Year 2018-2019.

The BOC said a total of 17 criminal cases were filed against importers and brokers involved in agricultural smuggling since the assumption of office of Customs Commissioner Isidro Lapeña.

“The Bureau of Customs will be filing more criminal charges in the coming weeks against erring importers and brokers. The continuous filing of these cases is in line with my standing order to deter all forms of smuggling for the protection of the legitimate traders and the general public,” said Lapeña. —Ted Cordero/KBK, GMA News

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