25 vans of smuggled rice from Vietnam seized

Before newly appointed Customs collector Billy Bibit could assume office in the Port of Cebu, another shipment containing 25 vans of smuggled rice were seized by Customs officials yesterday.

The smuggled shipment in 25 container vans was believed to have originated from the Port of Vietnam on board M/V Dafa. The vessel was docked at the Port of Cebu on May 10.

To date, Customs authorities have seized a total of 145 container vans estimated to be at least P66 million for this month alone. Customs said the May 10 apprehensions was reportedly consigned to Marjim Enterprises, a legitimate importer of green mongo beans and vermicilli or tanghon with business address located in Mabolo, Cebu City.

Marjim Enterprises owners, Maricris and Jimmy Go flatly denied owning the shipment and instead told Customs men that their business name may have been used by smugglers to sneak in the hot cargo.

Outgoing Customs district collector Juan Tan led the team who stripped open the vans yesterday even as he ordered the Customs Intelligence and Investigation Service to conduct immediate investigation.

CIIS chief for VisMin Halleck Valdez said that as the consignee on record, Marjim Enterprises could still be charged for smuggling. — The Freeman News Service