Sugar Regulatory Administrator Rafael Coscolluela yesterday said the SRA will get legal advice on how to prosecute those responsible for smuggling the recently seized 14,494 bags of sugar into the country, but the ball will be in the hands of the Bureau of Customs first.

The process calls for the BoC to summon to a hearing those found in possession and/or the owner of the premises/conveyances where the sugar was found, he said.

Victorias Milling Co. can also file charges against those who used its sacks to repack the smuggled sugar, he said.

Operatives of the Sugar Monitoring and Anti-Smuggling Campaign Thursday seized 14,494 bags of imported refined sugar in raids in two Metro Manila locations, Coscolluela said Friday.

At the market value of legitimate "D" sugar of P1,050 per lkg, the seized sugar would have a total cost of P15 million, he said.

Pictures and video footage of the raids showed strong evidence of the involvement of a sugar trader, not Negros-based, and of buyers who repack Thai sugar into fake Victorias Milling Co. sacks, Coscolluela said.

We are looking at a well-funded syndicate that is apparently capable of smuggling large volumes of refined sugar," Coscolluela said.

"Imported sugar cannot be retailed in local markets," he stressed.

"We will go after anyone engaged in this illegal activity, even retailers who claim ignorance," Coscolluela said, while urging the public to report the presence of imported sugar in any retail outlet.

Rafael Golez of the Sugar Board said the hotline of the Sugar Anti Smuggling Task Force is 09209170958.

Any information regarding smuggled sugar, including buyers-repackers will be most welcome, he said. *CPG

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