Smuggling raps filed vs rice trader, 9 Customs brokers

CEBU, Philippines -  The Bureau of Customs filed smuggling-related complaints against the owner of a rice trading company and nine licensed customs brokers for allegedly importing rice without the required import permit from the National Food Authority.

BOC, in a statement, said that the firm’s rice imports have a total dutiable value of more than P205 million and an estimated market value of over P641 million, P445.6 million of which is for Cebu alone.

The move is part of the agency’s drive to thwart the illegal entry of imported rice into the country.

Four separate complaints were filed by BOC Acting District Collectors Roberto Almadin of the Port of Cebu, Mario Mendoza of the Port of Manila, Ricardo Butalid Jr. of the Port of Davao  and Datu Samson Pacasum of the Mindanao Container Terminal in Misamis Oriental.

The case was filed against Emmanuel Santos, owner and proprietor of Medaglia De Oro Trading, along with the firm’s customs brokers.

 A fifth case will be filed by BOC Acting District Collector Elmir Dela Cruz of the Manila International Container Port against Santos and two other customs brokers.

The charges stem from rice importations of Medaglia De Oro totaling over 16.039 metric tons (more than 16.039-million kilograms) from Thailand and Singapore in July and August 2013 through the ports of Manila, Cebu, Davao and Misamis Oriental.

The accused will be facing multiple counts of violating Section 3601 of the Tariff and Customs Code of the Philippines and Section 29 of Presidential Decree Number 4, as amended by P.D. No. 1485. Each count of violating Section 3601 of the TCCP carries a maximum punishment of ten years imprisonment and a fine of P50,000; while violation of P.D. No. 4 is levied a maximum penalty of four years imprisonment and a fine of P8,000.00 per count. — (FREEMAN)