The Bureau of Customs (BOC) has seized around P10 million worth of imported sugar, rice, and cigarettes brought illegally through the Port of Zamboanga.
Combined operatives of the BOC and the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) apprehended last June 25 the M/L Nur-Ena and seized from the vessel around 2,500 sacks of imported white sugar worth around P6.3 million, according to a BOC intelligence report.
The vessel, which came from Jolo in Sulu, was boarded by operatives based on a search and seizure order signed by BOC-Port of Zamboanga district collector Jerry Loresco.
The inspection was witnessed by the local police and Barangay Recodo officials since the owner and master of the vessel were not around. The ship and its contents are now being guarded by the Coast Guard Station of Zamboanga and Task Force Zamboanga.
In addition, last June 16, the M/V Kristel Jane 3, which was docked at the Zamboanga port, was captured by BOC intelligence operatives, Task Force Zamboanga, PCG, Philippine Navy Marines, and other government intelligence units.
The raiding team, which conducted the operation on suspicion that undocumented imported goods were on board, discovered and seized 3,031 sacks of smuggled Sunrise AAA rice, 12 boxes of assorted brands of cigarettes, and 23 bags of refined sugar worth around P4 million.
The sacks of rice were allegedly found hidden by the ship’s crew inside the cabin, chimney, and engine bilges, while several boxes of cigarettes were found stashed in a cabinet containing 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 in a statement.
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