BOC FINDS ‘HOT’ RICE

14 out of 71 cargo containers opened, so far, in Cebu held smuggled rice from China; inspection ongoing Customs estimates shipment to be worth P83 million, will issue a warrant of seizure for the misdeclared goods

Importation accreditation of consignees Seven Myth Marketing and Rainbow Horizons Enterprise to be cancelled Consignees and broker to face Customs Modernization Tariff Act and Anti-Agricultural Smuggling Act raps

The Bureau of Customs ( BOC) Port of Cebu yesterday found at least 7,000 sacks of smuggled rice in 14 of the 71 cargo containers from China, which authorities suspect were misdeclared.

As a result, Customs Commissioner Isidro Lapeña ordered the cancellation of Manila-based consignees Seven Myth Marketing and Rainbow Horizons Enterprises’ importation accreditation.

The BOC will also cancel the license of the Cebu-based broker who facilitated the shipment.

The consignees and the broker will be charged with violating the Customs Modernization Tariff Act and the Anti-Agricultural Smuggling Act of 2016.

“This is a strong message to smugglers that they cannot continue with this type of business in our country. They cannot keep on shortchanging the government of its rightful revenue,” Lapeña told reporters in a press conference.

Lapeña said that based on what they found, the smuggled rice is worth P83 million.

The cargo containers arrived in Cebu on separate dates in five vessels.

Investigation

The first set of cargo containers was unloaded on Nov. 27, 29 and 30 while the second set was unloaded last Dec. 3.

Their contents were initially declared as “ceramic tiles” but when the cargo containers were X-rayed, the sacks of rice were discovered.

This prompted the BOC to hold the release of the cargo.

At 3 p.m. yesterday, Lapeña and officials of the BOC Port of Cebu arrived in the Cebu International Port to open 18 of the 71 cargo containers, and found sacks of Sinandomeng rice in 14 of the containers. The other four cargo containers contained ceramic tiles.

As of press time, BOC officials were still opening the rest of the cargo containers.

BOC Port of Cebu Collector Wivina Pumatong told reporters that they will investigate the consignees and the broker behind the illegal shipment.

Pumatong said that since she assumed office last October, she has received no record of violation from Seven Myth Marketing and Rainbow Horizons Enterprises.

She has requested the BOC office in Manila to look into their operations.

Pumatong said they tried to reach the Cebu-based broker, to no avail.

Lapeña said the confiscated smuggled rice will be donated to the Department of Social Welfare and Development.

This is a strong message to smugglers that they cannot continue with this type of business in our country. They cannot keep on shortchanging the government of its rightful revenue. ISIDRO LAPEÑA