Authorities seized over P307 million worth of suspected illegally stored sugar in Bulacan, as part of an intensified crackdown on agricultural smuggling led by the Philippine National Police’s Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG).
The raid, conducted on Friday, June 6, targeted three warehouses operated by BRAE Sugar Trading at Muralla Industrial Park in Barangay Perez, Meycauayan City.
In a statement on Saturday, CIDG said the joint operation was carried out by CIDG-Bulacan, in coordination with the Department of Agriculture’s Inspectorate and Enforcement team and the Sugar Regulatory Administration. The teams executed search warrants for violations of Republic Act No. 10845 (Anti-Agricultural Smuggling Act of 2016) in relation to Republic Act No. 10659 (Sugarcane Industry Development Act of 2015).
The operation yielded 95,568 sacks of sugar, valued at approximately P307.7 million.
“The illegal storage of agricultural products, regardless of quantity, is a crime that undermines food security, hurts our local farmers, and deprives the government of vital revenues,” said CIDG officer-in-charge Col. Ranie Hachuela.
He added that large-scale agricultural smuggling is considered economic sabotage and carries stiffer penalties. “This confiscation of alleged illegally stored sugar significantly prevented hoarding and economic sabotage. It underscores our unyielding stance against smuggling of agricultural products,” he said.
Authorities urged the public to report suspected smuggling or hoarding in their communities, assuring swift and decisive action in response.
