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BOC seizes P20M-worth of smuggled rice from China


The Bureau of Customs (BOC) on Tuesday seized 12 40-footer container vans of smuggled rice from China with an estimated value of P20 million.

The shipment was declared as leatherette when it arrived at the Port of Manila on August 20.

The BOC Command Center issued a red flag against shipment on October 4 after CCTV cameras were able to capture suspicious images.

"Nung nalaman nilang si-nieze namin at inalert namin, inabandon agad ang shipment," BOC Commissioner Nicanor Faeldon said.

When the shipment was inspected there none of the declared material was found. Instead the bureau discovered thousands of sacks of rice.

The BOC noted the shipment was consigned to RPR International Trading, with business address at Severino Reyes St., Sta. Cruz, Manila.

Faeldon ordered the consignee's accreditation as importer suspended.
 
It was the first time an importer attempted to smuggle rice of this value into the country through the Port of Manila, according to the bureau.
 
"We're making sure na hindi sila makakalusot," Faeldon said.
 
The BOC chief is now exploring the possibility of donating the smuggled rice to government agencies as part of the relief goods for victims of recent typhoons. — Ted Cordero/VDS, GMA News

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