Customs files smuggling raps vs. trader over P13.6-M sugar shipment

The Bureau of Customs on Wednesday filed with the Department of Justice a criminal complaint against a businessman and several others for the alleged smuggling of P13.6 million worth of refined sugar.

Charged were Kevin Castro, owner and proprietor of Binondo-based Real Top Enterprises; Jerwin Torreon, licensed customs broker for the company; and several yet to be identified individuals who facilitated or financed the smuggling activities.

The shipment, which was contained in ten 40-foot container vans, came from Shanghai, China and entered the country via the Manila International Container Port.

The shipment was declared as school bags, school supplies, toys, scooter, skipping ropes, notebooks, plastic folders and envelopes, pencil cases, lunch boxes, plastic bottles, and wraps.

The suspects were charged with violation of the Sugar Regulatory Administration Rules and Regulations, and Joint Memorandum Order No. 4002.

They also faced charges for violation of the Tariff and Customs Code of the Philippine under Section 3601 or Unlawful Importation, Section 3602 citing Various Fraudulent Practices against Customs Revenue, Section 2503 or undervaluation, misclassification and misdeclaration in entry.

They were also slapped with charges of violating Article 172 of the Revised Penal Code or the falsification by private individuals and use of falsified documents.

The filing of the charges brings to 210, the total number of smuggling cases filed by the BOC with the DOJ during the Aquino administration. —NB, GMA News