BOC raids Cagayan de Oro warehouse; seizes P5-M worth of smuggled onions

MANILA, Philippines — Armed with a Letter of Authority and Mission Order from Customs Commissioner Rey Leonardo Guerrero, the Bureau of Customs-Port of Cagayan de Oro (BOC-CDO) raided a warehouse located in Dacudao, Corrales Extension, Barangay Puntod, Cagayan de Oro on October 22, 2021.

The Bureau of Customs led by CIIS-CDO Field Station Chief Oliver Valiente together with an ESS representative, Philippine Coast Guard, Philippine National Police, and barangay officials went to the place acting on an intelligence report that the warehouse contains imported agricultural products.

During the raid, the warehouse gates were found padlocked and no representatives were staying inside. This prompted the team to seal the gates until further physical examination.

The following day, authorities resumed the conduct of inspection in the presence of a warehouse representative, which further revealed the presence of imported agricultural products such as garlic, onion, mung beans, carrots, and other assorted imported goods.

The agricultural products shall be subjected to seizure and forfeiture proceedings under Section 224 of the Customs Modernization and Tariff Act if the necessary import documents are not presented within 15 days.

However, sacks of red onions with an estimated value of P5 million were seized after the Department of Agriculture verified that it has not issued an importation permit for the red onions, thus, the items were considered to be smuggled goods and will be recommended for the issuance of a Warrant of Seizure and Detention.

In the meantime, the warehouse will be sealed and activities within the area will be put on hold until the compliance of clearances of other imported agricultural products found inside.

District Collector Atty. Elvira Cruz vowed to continue vigilance against smuggled products within its area of responsibility and send a strong signal to smugglers to stop their illicit activities.

JPV