Traders, broker sued for smuggling onions, cigarettes

The Bureau of Customs  filed smuggling charges against four businessmen and two Customs broker after they recently tried to sneak into the country a total of more than P37 million worth of onions and cigarettes.

Joseph Martin E. Arriesgado, owner of EAJM Enterprises; Manilou A. Hernandez, owner of Buensuceso Enterprise; Arvin V. Tugadi, owner of Epitome International Trading; and broker Lorenz V. Mangaliman were charged with false declaration and unlawful importation of agricultural products.

Random check

According to Customs Commissioner Isidro Lapeña, a random check made on the suspects’ container which arrived at the Manila International Container Port showed that instead of the declared fresh apples, the shipment contained onions.

In a separate complaint, Marid Industrial Marketing owner Mark David G. Villanueva and broker Carme Ann S. Rollon were also charged with false declaration, unlawful importation and other fraudulent acts for trying to smuggle over P26.6 million worth of cigarettes declared as industrial artificial fur texture.

If found guilty, the suspects could face up to 12 years in prison or made to pay a fine of at most P15 million.