THE Department of Agriculture (DA) confiscated P27.3 million worth of smuggled refined sugar at the Manila International Container Port (MICP) in Manila amid the controversial arrival of 260 containers of imported sweetener authorized by Agriculture Senior Undersecretary Domingo Panganiban.

Agriculture Assistant Secretary for Inspectorate and Enforcement James Layug said that the illegally sourced sugar was discovered inside 11 container vans following the joint operation by the DA, Philippine Coast Guard, Bureau of Customs, Bureau of Plant Industry and Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency.