Sacks of possibly smuggled sugars worth P1 billion were found in warehouses at Bulacan.
A joint operation of the Bureau of Customs (BOC), Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP), and Philippine National Police (PNP) seized from warehouses in Bulacan possible smuggled sugar worth P1 billion.
BOC reported that a total of 187,369 sacks of sugar with an estimated value of P936 million were found at different warehouses in Meycauayan.
The joint operation of the three agencies raided facilities in search of illegally- imported or hoarded sugar, acting on letters of authority and mission orders from Customs Commissioner Yogi Filemon Ruiz.
The government moves thoroughly to address the sugar crisis in the country which resulted in this operation, the Philippine Star reported.
The sugar crisis has affected the local economy of the country. From the small businesses of caridenrias and sari-sari stores, to the top soft-drinks makers had been the most affected by the supposed shortage that caused a domino effect.
From the 187,369 sacks of sugar found, 112,918 of them were imported from Thailand and found at the warehouses at B3 L5 Kendex Drive, Polyland Industrial Subdivision, Edison Lee Marketing Dazo Compound and Olympia Street, Sterling Industrial Park.
Meanwhile, the remaining 74,451 sacks of local sugar were found within B3 L5 Kendex Drive, Polyland Industrial Subdivision and Copper Street, Muralla Industrial Park.
Sugar Regulatory Administration (SRA) representatives were present during the inspection to establish if the locally- packed sugar was truly produced in the country or if the seized sugar was repacked and marketed as locally-produced.
BOC said that the owners of these warehouses are given 15 days to show necessary documents as proof that the sugar goods were legally imported.
Tags: #Sugar, #SRA, #BOC, #AFP, #PNP, #Agriculture