DFA seizes P90M smuggled sugar and cigarettes

Local authorities seized around P90 million worth of smuggled sugar and cigarettes at the Port of Manila on Thursday.

Officials from the Department of Agriculture, Bureau of Customs, and Sugar Regulatory Administration jointly inspected the confiscated products, which included P9 million worth of smuggled sugar and P81.06 million worth of smuggled cigarettes.

The authorities seized four container vans loaded with 100 metric tons of refined sugar from Thailand that had been imported by Lapaz Multi-purpose Cooperative in Roxas City and another 50 tons misdeclared as 'sweet mixed powder' from Vietnam.

Initial tests on the confiscated sugar revealed the presence of mesophilic bacteria, which includes harmful strains like E. coli and salmonella, raising concerns about public health safety.

Both Lapaz Multi-purpose Cooperative and Yabai OPC will be blacklisted by the Sugar Regulatory Administration since they are registered sugar traders and importers.

Agriculture Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr. warned smugglers amid intensified efforts against agricultural smuggling as directed by President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr., emphasizing the threat to local farmers' income and public health safety.

The Bureau of Customs also presented PHP81.065 million worth of smuggled cigarettes misdeclared as 'fabrics,' containing a total of 1,046 boxes or 52,300 reams.