13,200 tons of rice seized in 3 months

SUBIC BAY FREEPORT — Some 13,200 tons of imported rice valued at P264 million were seized here in the last three months.

Subic authorities said a total of 264,000 bags equivalent to about 13.2 million kilos of imported rice smuggled into the country have been seized from July to October this year through the help of the Bureau of Customs.

The imported rice came in eight shipments. The biggest seizure was made on Sept. 12 with an estimated volume of 200,000 bags of Thai rice aboard MV Hung Yen, a Malaysian vessel. Another operation on Oct. 22 involved the MV Maersk that carried 12,000 bags of rice.

Among the consignees that were identified with the smuggled rice shipment were Rafael Gamboa, Benjamin Dela Cruz from San Jacinto, Pangasinan, RMJR Grain Center, R & C Agro Trade, Agriex Co. Ltd, Goldpatch Link, Alpha Trading, Commodities Trading and Metrostar. These groups mentioned will be placed under questioning. –Jen Velarmino