MANILA: The Bureau of Customs (BOC) seized over a hundred containers of illegally imported rice from Thailand — the biggest catch, so far this year.
Inside the containers were sacks of Thai white rice amounting to P118-million, and are consigned to the Calumpit Multi-Purpose Cooperative in Mindoro.
The BOC said the shipments did not have import permits from the National Food Authority (NFA).
The containers arrived at the Manila International Container Port in three batches between November 24 to December 12 in 2015.
While multi-purpose cooperatives are allowed to import rice, NFA Administrator Renan Dalisay said the Calumpit Multi-Purpose Cooperative did not follow proper procedures.
The same cooperative also brought in double the maximum allowed volume.
Dalisay said the country doesn’t need to import rice right now as there’s enough to cover the first quarter.
Customs Commissioner Alberto Lina said the bureau has issued a warrant of seizure and detention on the seized shipments and that the rice will be auctioned off.
