The Bureau of Customs-Port of Zamboanga (BOC-POZ) on Friday, September 15, said it forfeited around 42,180 sacks of rice worth P42 million after a raid of a warehouse in Brgy. San Jose Gusu, Zamboanga City.
In a press release, BOC disclosed that together with the Coast Guard Intelligence Group-Southwestern Mindanao, Task Force Aduana, and Marine Battalion Landing Team 11, they conducted an inspection of a warehouse in Brgy. San Jose, Gusu, on May 19, 2023, armed with a Letter of Authority signed by BOC Commissioner Bienvenido Rubio,
The inspection was held after BOC received a report that there was smuggled rice in one stall in the said area.
Around 42,180 sacks of Alas Jasmine Fragrant Rice were discovered in the inventory.
In accordance with Section 224 of Republic Act No. 10863, also known as the "Customs Modernization and Tariff Act" (CMTA), the owner's representative submitted import documents purportedly covering the subject imported sacks of rice.
Upon the verification of the submitted documents and the investigation of ESS-CPD and CIIS, it was found out that the subject confiscated goods were not covered by the requisite Sanitary and Phytosanitary Import Clearance (SPSIC) from the Bureau of Plant Industry.
There were also discrepancies between the actual seized goods and what was declared in the documents presented purportedly covering the same, the Customs added.
The shipment of "White Rice 15% Broken" was identified in the proofs of payment that were submitted; however, upon closer inspection, it turned out that the seized sacks of rice were Jasmine Fragrant Rice.
On September 1, 2023, the BOC-POZ issued an Order of Forfeiture against the subject sacks of rice for violation of Section 1113(f) in relation to Section 117 of the CMTA of 2016, the Rice Tariffication Law, and Republic Act No. 10845, also known as the "Anti-Agricultural Smuggling Act of 2016".
According to District Collector Arthur G. Sevilla Jr., the Port of Zamboanga will keep an eye on reports of smuggling in all its forms and take appropriate action pursuant to Commissioner Bienvenido Y. Rubio’s and President Ferdinand R. Marcos’ marching orders to go after hoarders and illegal importers of rice.
