BOC turns over P60 million worth of illegal fireworks to PNP

PHOTO FROM BOC FACEBOOK

MANILA, Philippines—The Bureau of Customs, through the Manila International Container Port, officially turned over shipments of smuggled pyrotechnics worth P60 million to the Philippine National Police-Firearms and Explosives Office on Friday.

Atty. Ernelito G. Aquino, MICP Auction and Cargo Disposal Division Chief, and Police Lt. Col. Atty. Ana Fe B. Laz, PNP-FEO Explosives Management Division Chief, were present at the turnover held at a blasting site in Brgy. Pinagbayanan, Taysan, Batangas.

The 12 40-footer laden containers, which were transferred to the custody of the PNP-FEO and ordered for destruction, were consigned to Stellent Corporation (nine containers) and Grinder Stone International (three containers).

According to the BOC, the said shipments were put on alert and were seized after being misdeclared or abandoned as the subject consignees failed to produce the necessary import clearances from the PNP.

The importations violated Republic Act 7183  “An Act Regulating the Sale, Manufacture, Distribution of Firecrackers and Other Pyrotechnic Devices.”