Joint operatives from the Bureau of Customs (BOC), Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP), Department of Trade and Industry (DTI), Sugar Regulatory Administration (SRA), and Department of Agriculture (DA) have seized various imported sugar and other articles from warehouses in Pampanga and Bulacan in separate raids.

The BOC – Customs Intelligence and Investigation Service (CIIS) and Enforcement and Security Service of the Port of Clark (Customs District No. XIV) and Port of Manila (Customs District No. II-A), along with the AFP forces, swooped down on the New San Fernando Public Market in San Fernando, Pampanga and beside Taruwe’s Lugawan, Tapsihan Atbp along Kaypian Rd., in Jose del Monte, Bulacan.

The operations stemmed from coordination of CIIS with the military intelligence. The raids were in accordance with the marching orders of President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. to exercise visitorial powers to all customs bonded warehouse and to check on the inventory of imported agricultural products.

Armed with a Letter of Authority (LOA) and Mission Order (MO) issued by the Acting Commissioner of Customs, the implementing teams proceeded with the inspection of the subject warehouses.

Found were more or less 44,000 sacks of imported sugar with an estimated value of P220 million in warehouses in Bulacan and Pampanga.

A certain Victor Teng Chua, the alleged owner of the warehouse in Bulacan, was invited to San Jose del Monte Police Station for questioning due to lack of SRA permit.

The concerned government are also verifying the possibility of large scale hoarding of sugar by the owner of the warehouse.

Acting Commissioner Yogi Filemon L. Ruiz assured the public that the BOC would remain relentless in conducting operations against smuggling and protecting legitimate trade.

Ruiz said that failure to present import documents and proof of payment of duties and taxes on the seized articles would cause the issuance of a Warrant of Seizure and Detention (WSD)