Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, January 20) — Confiscated smuggled sugar from recent operations can be sold in Kadiwa stores once the investigation is completed, the Bureau of Customs (BOC) said on Thursday.
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In a public briefing, BOC operations chief and spokesperson Arnaldo dela Torre Jr. said a probe on the recently seized agricultural products, including sugar, is underway.
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“Ito pong mga nasabat natin na asukal sa MICP (Manila International Container Port) at Batangas, ito po ay may imbestigasyon na ginagawa ang bureau para tayo ay magkaroon ng jurisdiction para maibigay sa gobyerno,” Dela Torre said.
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[Translation: The bureau is conducting an investigation on items seized at MICP and in Batangas so that we can have complete jurisdiction and give it to the government.]
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The bureau earlier intercepted ₱24 million worth of imported refined sugar from Hong Kong, while 4,000 metric tons of refined white sugar from Thailand amounting to ₱240 million was seized at the Batangas Port.
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The Sugar Regulatory Administration (SRA) previously proposed to sell the seized smuggled sugar at Kadiwa stores run by the Department of Agriculture.
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