The Presiding Judge of the 3rd Municipal Circuit Trial Court (MCTC) of Orion-Pilar, Bataan convicted four (4) individuals on Sept. 9 who were found transporting smuggled rice in Orion, Bataan.

Last Feb. 24, 2021, the vessel “LCT Yellow River” was apprehended and multiple trucks were found discharging and loading smuggled rice and cigarettes at the Orion Dockyard, Orion, Bataan.

Through the assistance of the Bureau’s Action Team Against Smugglers (BATAS), various criminal cases were filed before the MCTC, Regional Trial Court, and Court of Tax Appeals.

In the cases pending before the MCTC, the presiding judge found all the accused GUILTY beyond reasonable doubt of violating the Customs Modernization and Tariff Act and were sentenced to imprisonment for three (3) years and six (6) months to four (4) years and eight (8) months.

Acting Commissioner Yogi Filemon Ruiz remains steadfast in leading the Bureau in its fight against the smuggling of agricultural products and other commodities.