NAIC, Cavite — Authorities seized about 20 million pesos worth of suspected illegal imported rice in a raid on a warehouse in Barangay Malaienen Bago in Naic on Monday, the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group said.
A total of 16,492 sacks of rice were confiscated in the operation by the group’s Regional Field Unit 4A, with the Bureau of Customs, the National Intelligence Coordinating Agency’s Region 4A office, the Naval Intelligence and Security Group and the Philippine Coast Guard.
The operation began at about 11 a.m. and ended around 9:30 p.m., the group said. The warehouse is suspected of being used to mix imported rice with locally grown rice without authorization.
The raid was carried out under a letter of authority issued by the Bureau of Customs to verify information about alleged illegal activity at the facility, according to a report submitted to CIDG Director Maj. Gen. Robert Morico II.
The inspection aimed to determine whether the warehouse complied with customs laws, particularly the Customs Modernization and Tariff Act.
Investigators are looking into the alleged mixing of imported and local rice without proper permits and declarations. The CIDG said the practice, if found to involve false labeling or misrepresentation of the product’s origin and quality, could violate consumer protection laws. It could also allow rice to be sold at prices that do not match its true quality or origin, the group said.
Morico said it is important to stamp out smuggling, customs fraud and other illegal activities that could harm local agriculture and the public.
The CIDG commended Col. Ganaban Ali, regional chief of Regional Field Unit 4A, and the partner agencies. It said it will continue its campaign against smuggling and agricultural economic sabotage.
The group’s report did not say whether anyone was arrested or who owns and operates the warehouse. It also did not say whether charges will be filed.
Discover more from Cavite News
Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.
