Officials from the Department of Agriculture and Bureau of Customs on Thursday (May 29) inspected smuggled sugar from Thailand, brought in by a multi-purpose cooperative, following the directive of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. to intensify the crackdown on agricultural smuggling to protect farmers and consumers, and ensure a fair market for business.
Agriculture Secretary Francisco P. Tiu Laurel, Jr. joined Bureau of Customs Commissioner Bienvenido Rubio and Sugar Regulatory Administration chief executive officer and administrator Pablo Azcona in the inspection of the smuggled sugar that arrived in the Port of Manila late April.
Seized were four container vans loaded with a total 2,000 50-kilo bags of refined sugar, with an estimated retail value of P9 million.
Aside from refined sugar, the BOC also confiscated smuggled cigarettes that could undermine the income of tobacco farmers.
The DA, through its Inspectorate and Enforcement office, last year seized P2.83 billion worth of smuggled farm goods, around P1 billion higher compared to the level in 2023. From January through May 19 this year, DA-IE already seized and condemned smuggled farm goods worth a total P407.6 million. ### (Photos by Jay Morales, DA-OSEC)
