The smuggled goods were intercepted by a combined team of the Philippines Customs Police Division-Enforcement and Security Service and the Customs Intelligence and Investigation Service.
Philippines Customs authorities seized 80,000 bags or 4000 metric tons of smuggled imported sugar from Thailand worth at least P240 million.
According to the local media, the sugar shipment was consigned to Stone Int’l. Co. Ltd. The cargo manifest identified the shipper as The Thai Sugar Trading Corp.
The smuggled goods were intercepted by a combined team of Philippines Customs Police Division-Enforcement and Security Service and Customs Intelligence and Investigation Service personnel with the assistance of the Philippine Coast Guard in the vicinity of Bauan and Mabini breakwaters in Batangas.
The operation was launched following intelligence information that vessel VOI MV Sunward was carrying the sugar without filing the required Notice of Arrival with the Bureau of Customs.
The Port of Batangas issued the corresponding Warrant of Seizure and Detention against the vessel and sugar shipment.
