MANILA, Philippines — Authorities have seized P70-million worth of misdeclared carrots, broccoli and other vegetables in Subic Port allegedly smuggled into the country from China, according to the Department of Agriculture (DA).
Subic Port earlier received an alert of the arrival of 22 reefer containers suspected of carrying misdeclared agricultural products from China.
The container vans were said to have been under consignment from JKJ International Company and EMV Consumer Goods Trading, according to a Friday statement from the DA.
“The seized items were declared ‘Mantou’ (Chinese steamed bun) with an estimated value of P70 million,” the agriculture department said.
The operation was headed by the DA, Department of Trade and Industry, Bureau of Customs, National Intelligence Coordinating Administration, and Philippine National Police.
The DA noted that Baguio-based growers of highland vegetables have been complaining about the “continuous” presence of imported highland vegetables in markets which is “severely” affecting their livelihood. The imported agricultural goods are sold at a much cheaper price due to non-payment of tariffs.
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