Smuggled rice seized

Combined operatives of the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) and the Bureau of Customs (BoC) intercepted Tuesday in North Harbor, Manila five container vans of alleged smuggled rice declared as seaweed.

PCG information officer Lt. Arman Balilo said the misdeclared cargo was off-loaded from MV St. Ezekiel Moreno of Negros Navigation Inc. Sunday at Pier 2 in North Harbor.

The shipment, reportedly consigned to one Mario Lobregat, came from Zamboanga City in five 20-footer container vans and was declared as seaweed, according to Balilo.

Upon arrival, the misdeclared shipment was temporarily stored at the Mabuhay Container Yard of Negros Navigation in Balut, Tondo. – Nestor Etolle