May 16, 2023
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On Friday, February 17, The Philippines Agricultural Department charged 15 crew members of a cargo ship for smuggling sugar. Authorities found P400 million worth of sugar from MV Sunward, and the captain, along with the rest of the crew, were charged with smuggling.
The incident happened in Batangas. The arrested persons’ identities are 7 Chinese, 6 Indonesian and 1 Filipino national. They were charged under the Anti-Agricultural Smuggling Act of 2016, widely known as the Republic Act 10845.
The authorities haven’t released the names of the offenders so far, although this violation is an economic sabotage when the amount worth is more than P1 million.
The Philippine Coast Guard, The Bureau Of Customs and the DA conducted a joint operation to inspect this vessel, and 4000 metric tons of refined sugar was recovered. They were smuggling the goods from Thailand.
According to the crew, the ship was going to Taiwan, and the sugar was a consignment for Stone International Co. Ltd.
References: Manila Times, GMA News Online
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