P307-M SUSPECTED HOARDED SUGAR SEIZED IN BULACAN

OPERATIVES of the Philippine National Police-Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (PNP-CIDG) on Friday seized over P307.68 million worth of imported sugar during raids on three separate warehouses in Bulacan.

PNP-CIDG OIC Col. Ranie P. Hachuela said that found inside the three warehouses in an industrial park in Bgy. Perez, Meycauayan City were 95,568 sacks of sugar believed to be being illegally stored for future release in the market once the sugar price goes up.

Hachuela said the illegal storage of agricultural products is prohibited by law as it affects the price in the market.

Members of the CIDG-Bulacan and other police units conducted the raids based on a search warrant obtained with the help of the Department of Agriculture Inspectorate Enforcement (DA-IE) and Sugar Regulatory Administration (SRA).

“The operations underscore our unyielding stance against smuggling of agricultural products and economic sabotage. With the confiscation of this allegedly illegally stored very large amount of sugar, we significantly prevented hoarding and economic sabotage,” the PNP-CIDG OIC said.

Hachuela commended his men who were involved in the raid even as he expressed his gratitude to the DA and SRA for the remarkable accomplishment against economic saboteurs.

The official said a case of violation of Republic Act 10845 or the Anti-Agricultural Smuggling Act of 2016 is being prepared against people involved in the illegal storage of the seized imported sugar.