Court of Tax Appeals sentences 9 individuals for agricultural smuggling

The Court of Tax Appeals (CTA) Third Division has convicted nine individuals in two separate cases involving the transportation or storage of smuggled agricultural and fishery products, in violation of Republic Act No. 12022, or the Anti-Agricultural Economic Sabotage Act.

In the first case, six helpers were sentenced to prison terms ranging from two years and one day to two years and six months. A boat captain involved in the same case was sentenced to two years and six months to three years and one month in prison.

In the second case, a driver and a helper were each sentenced to two years and one day to two years and six months of imprisonment.

The CTA said the time the accused had already spent in preventive detention would be credited toward their prison sentences, subject to the rules and limitations under Article 29 of the Revised Penal Code.

"Additionally, once the accused serves the minimum term of their indeterminate sentence, they become eligible to apply for parole under the supervision of the Board of Pardons and Parole," the decisions read.

The Anti-Agricultural Economic Sabotage Act prohibits the fraudulent importation of agricultural and fishery products, as well as the knowing transportation or storage of smuggled goods.— MCG, GMA News

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