BOC intercepts 25 live reptiles concealed in Taiwan-bound parcel

Photo from BOC

MANILA, Philippines — Twenty-five exotic animals with an estimated value of P300,000 were seized inside a parcel consigned to a Taiwanese national, the Bureau of Customs (BOC) said Saturday.

Confiscated were two venomous pitting cobras, eight pit vipers and 15 sailfin lizards stored inside bamboo chimes and lanterns in a package at the DHL warehouse.

The package, tagged as “souvenir items” by the shipper from Pasig City, was supposed to be delivered to Taiwan on Thursday, Feb. 18.

Customs authorities said the package was intercepted through a joint effort of Customs agents of Port of Ninoy Aquino International Airport,  Export Division, Enforcement and Security Service (ESS), Environmental Protection and Compliance Division (EPCD) , X-Ray Inspection Project (XIP), Customs Intelligence and Inspection Service (CIIS) and DHL in close coordination with the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR).

The seized rare animals were transported to DENR for proper handling while Customs will conduct profiling and case build up on the shipper and accomplices for the filing complaints for violation of the Wildlife Resources Conservation and Protection Act and Customs Modernization and Tariff Act.

Port of NAIA District Collector Carmelita Talusan said the BOC closely works with the environment department to address illegal wildlife trade in the country.

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