The Bureau of Customs seized some P13.7 million worth of smuggled refined sugar from China declared as assorted items.
Customs Commissioner Alberto Lina said the bureau filed smuggling charges against the proprietor of Blue Chelsea Enterprises Esteban Lajac for the foiled smuggle try.
The shipment which arrived at the Manila International Container Port was ordered confiscated for unlawful declaration of shipments that violates numerous customs laws.
Lina said the shipment, contained in 11 container vans consigned to Blue Chelsea arrived in the country last month.
“Upon inspection, the shipments contain general merchandise that includes vacuum flask, chess board, plastic kit, plastic tumbler, storage box, basketball sponge, plastic hairpin, jackets, paper cups, children’s bike and other goods of the same kind,” the customs chief said.
“It was also surprising that there was no bags of refined sugar found in the shipment,” he said.
He said the importation of sugar without appropriate import permit and clearance duly issued by the Sugar Regulatory Authority constitutes to a violation of the SRA’s Rules and Regulation.
“We are relentless in our battle against agri-smuggling. Customs will not yield to anyone or anything in this campaign against smuggling because we want to help local farmers and help Philippine sugar industry to prosper,” Lina said.