THE Bureau of Customs (BOC) announced on Monday the confiscation of smuggled sugar, rice and cigarettes amounting to at least P10 million that arrived at the Port of Zamboanga last month.
Based on the BOC’s intelligence report, combined operatives of the BOC and the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) apprehended the vessel ML Nur-Ena and seized around 2,500 sacks of imported white sugar with an estimated value of P6.3 million on June 25.
The vessel, which came from Jolo, Sulu, was subjected for inspection by virtue of a search and seizure order on signed by BOC-Port of Zamboanga district collector Jerry Loresco.
The inspection was witnessed by the local police and barangay officials since the owner and master of vessel were not around.
The said vessel and its contents are now under guard by members of the Coast Guard Station of Zamboanga and Task Force Zamboanga.
Meanwnhile, on June 16 Customs intelligence operatives, together with personnel from PCG, Philippine Navy, Marines, and other government intelligence units, apprehended the vessel MV Kristel Jane 3, which was docked at the Zamboanga port based on derogatory information that undocumented sacks of imported rice and cigarettes were onboard.
The inspection resulted to the confiscation of 3,031 sacks of smuggled Sunrise AAA rice, 12 boxes of assorted brands of cigarettes and 23 sacks of refined sugar worth around P4 million.
During the search, it was found out that the MV KristelJane crew hid bags of rice inside the ship’s cabin, chimney and engine bilges to avoid detection.
Several boxes of cigarettes were also found inside the cabinet of the ship’s life jackets.
“All apprehended vessels and their cargoes were properly turned over to the BOC Port of Zamboanga for processing and filing of charges including the issuance of the warrant of seizure and detention,” Loresco said.