MANILA: THE Bureau of Customs filed with the Department of Justice a criminal complaint against an importer who allegedly misdeclared a P13.6-million shipment of sugar as school supplies.
The complaint was filed against Real Top Enterprises, its owner Kevin P. Castro, and licensed customs broker Jerwin S. Torreon, as well as several John and Jane Does who may have cooperated.
The shipment, which arrived in Manila from Shanghai, China in May, violated the Sugar Regulatory Administration rules, as well as Sections 3601 (illegal importation), 3602 (fraud), and 2503 (undervaluation and misdeclaration) of the Tariff and Customs Code of the Philippines. The respondents were also slapped with complaints for violating Article 172 of the Revised Penal Code.
This brings the number of smuggling cases filed under the Run After the Smugglers program to 210 under the administration of President Benigno S. C. Aquino III.
