June 16, 2015
Sugaronline | http://goo.gl/wSqPJC
The Bureau of Customs (BOC) seized PHP13 million (US$287.903) worth of smuggled sugar from Thailand stuffed in 8 40-footer container vans at the Manila International Container Port (MICP), according to the Philippines' GMA TV News.
The shipments, which were declared as "school and office supplies and children's toys" came from eight different shippers, arrived on different dates, but consigned to the same importer Real Top Enterprises.
Upon verification, Real Top Enterprises turned out to be a fictitious entity with a fictitious address.
"This is a well orchestrated and well-planned shipment", Captain Jesus Gutierrez, district commander of the MICP said.
The sugar originated from Thailand but was first brought to Hong Kong before arriving at the Manila port.
Gutierrez suspects that the movement was meant to allay suspicions of sugar smuggling since Hong Kong is not a sugar exporting state.
The 40-footer container vans were also a diversionary tactic since sugar is usually shipped in 20-footers, Gutierres added.
The 270,000 sacks of refined white sugar sell for PHP2,500 pesos per sack, and will be auctioned off.