Smuggling raps filed vs 2 co-ops

MANILA, Philippines - The Bureau of Customs (BOC) yesterday filed smuggling charges against two multi-purpose cooperatives based in Cagayan de Oro City. 

Customs Commissioner Ruffy Biazon said nine officers of Jefmin Farmers Primary Multi-Purpose Cooperative led by chair Angela George Guia DJ Kamahara were charged for illegally importing 17,500 bags of Indian rice worth over P21 million through the Cagayan de Oro port in November 2012 without the required import permit from the National Food Authority.

Nine officers of the Bubog Farmers Cooperative led by chairman Phol Lahip, on the other hand, were sued for attempting to smuggle 5,000 bags of long grain white rice from Vietnam worth P5 million which arrived at the CDO port in July 2012.