Customs authorities find ₱519M imported rice in several warehouses in Bulacan

Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, August 30) — The Bureau of Customs (BOC) on Wednesday discovered ₱519 million worth of imported rice in four warehouses in Bulacan.

Authorities found 154,000 sacks of imported rice grains which came from Vietnam and Pakistan, and 60,000 sacks of palay.

"We have just discovered four warehouses storing rice grains and palay, and if the owners of these warehouses fail to show proper documents that they legitimately imported the subject sacks of rice and paid correct duties and taxes thereon, then we will take immediate legal action and confiscate the items here," said Customs Commissioner Bienvenido Rubio in a statement.

The BOC inspection team served letters of authority for inspection to the respective representatives of the warehouses located in Barangay Wakas in Bocaue, and Barangay San Juan in Balagtas. This was after the bureau received intelligence information, it added.

The BOC said the warehouses were temporarily padlocked as inventory of the stored imported goods is being conducted.

President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. earlier instructed the BOC to continue raids on warehouses to address issues of hoarding and illegal rice importation.

The bureau also raided and sealed three warehouses in Balagtas, Bulacan on Aug. 25.

They were found to be storing ₱505 million worth of imported rice.