THE Bureau of Customs (BOC) at the Port of Subic confiscated P16.7 million worth of refined sugar declared as floor mops and trash bags.

BOC Port of Subic District Collector Maritess Martin said her office received an information that a shipment contains sugar, contrary to what was declared in the documents.

Martin ordered the issuance of Pre-Lodgment Control Orders (PLCO) against the shipment comprising 14 units of 20-footer container vans all consigned to Multi-Subsonic Marketing Company.

Physical examination of the containers was conducted with representatives from Enforcement and Security Service, Customs Intelligence and Investigation Service, Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority, Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency, and Sugar Regulatory Administration, resulting in the discovery of the undeclared sugar.

Issuance of Warrants of Seizure and Detention was recommended for violation of the Sugar Regulatory Administration and Bureau of Customs Joint Memorandum Order No. 04-2002 and Section 1113 (f) of R. A. No. 10863 or the Customs Modernization and Tariff Act.