Thousands of bags of suspected smuggled rice worth around P20 million were seized during a raid by intelligence agents of the Bureau of Customs (BoC) in Taytay, Rizal.
Around 8,000 bags of smuggled rice were uncovered in a warehouse at Cresda Ville Subdivision, Barangay San Juan, Taytay, Rizal Thursday.
Customs Intelligence and Investigation Service (CIIS) Director Neil L. Estrella disclosed that the warehouse owner was identified as Bernadette Ang.
However, further investigation to determine where did the rice come from is still underway.
“We are currently tracing the point of origin of the seized rice since Ms. Ang has not presented import documents that will justify the legality of the importation into the country,” Estrella said.
Customs Commissioner Nicanor Faeldon, on the other hand said the suspect could possibly face charges of economics sabotage if the evidences say so.
Faeldon said that agricultural smuggling, especially rice worth P1 million, would compel the BOC to file economic sabotage as provided under RA 10845.
“We are tightly looking into this case as one of incidents that economic sabotage charges will be filed at the Department of Justice should evidences warrant,” Faeldon said. (BETHEENA KAE UNITE)