The Bureau of Customs (BOC) on Thursday stopped the possible smuggling of 7,000 metric tons of refined sugar imported from Thailand at the Subic Port.

In a press release, the Office of the Secretary said the customs officials averted a cargo vessel MV Bangpakaew after it learned that the cargo import permit was “recycled” or was used for an earlier sugar shipment.

At least 140,000 bags worth Php 45.6 million were seized.

About 19 crew members of the said cargo vessel were taken under BOC’s custody.

It was Acting BOC Commissioner Yogi Filemon Ruiz who reported the attempted smuggling in the area to Executive Secretary Victor Rodriguez.

President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. earlier directed Rodriguez to order the BOC to exercise its visitorial power to inspect warehouses where sugars are allegedly hoarded for profit.

According to customs’ initial investigation, Oro-Agritrade Inc. under the account of ARC Refreshments Corp. was the consignee of the smuggled sugar.

The Ruamkamlarp Export Co. Ltd was the identified Thai exporter and the local customs broker identified was Malou Leynes Burano.

The investigation of officer-in-charge Joeffrey Tacion of the Customs Intelligence and Investigation Service (CIIS) showed that the Thai cargo is covered by a Special Permit to Discharge (SPD) and verified Single Administrative Document (SAD).

“Initially, the said a cargo vessel was allowed to discharge its load at 11 a.m. today (Thursday), cleared by SRA [Sugar Regulatory Administration] and BOC because it was not covered by the failed attempt to import 300,000 MT of sugar. This means that the recycled permit was from an old allocation,” Tacio reported.

The Office of the Executive Secretary claimed that a similar modus happened last week wherein it also used “recycled” import permits to smuggle imported sugar.

The BOC earlier seized Php 220 million worth of sugar imports from two warehouses in Pampanga and Bulacan.