Police seize P5-million smuggled rice in Dumalinao, Zambo Sur

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Warehouse owned by Gregorio Yap

PAGADIAN CITY,  Zamboanga del Sur (Dec. 15, 2014-MPF News) --- The joint Police operations between the Zamboanga del Sur Police Provincial Office, Provincial Public Safety Battalion and Dumalinao Municipal Police Station successfully seized some 5,400 Bags at 25 kilo grams of allegedly imported rice stocked at the warehouse in Barangay Upper Dumalinao, in the nearby town of Dumalinao this province Friday afternoon, Police official said.

Police Provincial Director Senior Supt. Sofronio Ecaldre said Monday the successful seizure of allegedly imported rice was the result of the request of Dumalinao town Mayor Ace William Cerilles after receiving reliable information and surveillance on the illegal rice trade activities.

Ecaldre identified the warehouse owner as Gregorio Yap thru his care taker failed to present legal documents during the raid.

Ecaldre believed that repacking was conducted in the warehouse as they recovered also a total of 4,000 empty sacks of rice at 25 kilos and at 50 kilos printed with “D&A Pagadian Golden Grains” Well Milled Rice and empty sacks of rice with printed imported name.

Ecaldre said the warehouse is now being padlock and guarded by the police operatives while waiting the officials from the Bureau of Custom for proper investigation. 

Ecaldre said this is the second huge of imported rice confiscation; the first was in the nearby town Margosatubig with a total of 8,000 bags at 25 kilograms of imported rice loaded in a boat from Tawi-tawi on October 1, 2014.

The 8,000 bags of allegedly imported rice were now deposited to the warehouse of Pagadian City National Food Authority (NFA) while the hearing of the case still ongoing.

Mayor Cerilles also said that record shows from the Municipal Treasurer’s Office they don’t have the name of Gregorio Yap listed as rice trader in their municipality. (By JC-MPF News)