The Bureau of Customs (BOC) on Thursday averted the possible smuggling of 7,021 metric tons (MT) of sugar from Thailand at the Subic Port in Zambales, after bureau officials learned that the import permit used for the cargo was “recycled” or used for an earlier sugar shipment.
Acting Customs Commissioner Yogi Filemon Ruiz reported the attempted smuggling to Executive Secretary Victor Rodriguez, who earlier tasked the BOC to use its visitorial power to inspect warehouses where stocks of sugar were believed to be hoarded for profit.
Ruiz immediately ordered the BOC in Subic Port to take custody of the 19 crew members of the cargo vessel MV Bangpakaew, which was found to be loaded with 7,021 MT of Thailand white refined sugar equivalent to 140,000 bags and with total tax payment valued at P45,623,007.
Initial investigation by the BOC showed that the consignee of the smuggled sugar is Oro-Agritrade, Inc. under the account of ARC Refreshments Corp. with Entry Nos. C-12513 and C-12521.
The Thai exporter is listed as Ruamkamlarp Export Co. Ltd. while the local customs broker was identified as Malou Leynes Buerano.
