Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, January 15) — About 4,000 metric tons (MTs) of sugar valued at over a quarter of a billion pesos was seized at the Port of Batangas (POB) on Saturday.
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The shipment, 80,000 bags of Thailand White Refined Sugar worth ₱261 million, was found aboard the vessel MV Sunward, according to the Bureau of Customs (BOC).
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The agency said the vessel arrived at the port without a Notice of Arrival for its cargo, which is against customs laws and regulations. The BOC also found that there was no import permit for the sugar.
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Upon discovery of the cargo, POB District Collector Atty. Rhea Gregorio issued a Warrant of Seizure and Detention citing violations against the Customs Modernization and Tariff Act, the Anti-Agricultural Smuggling Act of 2016, and the Food Safety Act of 2013.
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Just a few days prior, another shipment of smuggled sugar worth ₱19 million was seized at the Manila International Container Port.
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