July 7, 2015
Manila Standard Today (Vito Barcelo) | http://goo.gl/SmKVna
The Bureau of Customs has foiled an attempt to smuggle more than P10 million worth of sugar, rice and cigarettes at the Port of Zamboanga.
Confiscated were 2,500 sacks of imported white sugar worth P6.3 million, and rice and cigarettes worth at least P4 million aboard two vessels, according to BOC Port of Zamboanga District Collector Jerry Loresco.
The vessels, ML Nur Enaand, carrying sugar, and MV Kristel Jane 3, carrying rice and cigarettes, came from Jolo, Sulu when intercepted by the BOC and the Philippine Coast Guard at the Zamboanga port.
Authorities found that M/V Kristel Jane crew hid the sacks of rice inside the ship’s cabin, chimney, and engine bilges to avoid detection. Several boxes of cigarettes were also found inside the cabinet of the ship’s life jackets.
The seized goods were turned over to the BOC Port of Zamboanga for processing and filing of charges including the issuance of the warrant of seizure and detention, Loresco said.
“We would like to thank the various government agencies as well as the local authorities for helping us apprehend smugglers in Zamboanga. We will continue the BOC mandate to intensify anti-smuggling efforts in Mindanao ports,” he added.