The Bureau of Customs (BOC) uncovers over P104 million worth of illegally imported onions, sugar, and cigarettes at the Manila International Container Port (MICP).
MANILA, Philippines — The Bureau of Customs (BOC) has uncovered over P104 million worth of illegally imported onions, sugar, and cigarettes at the Manila International Container Port (MICP).
The agency said Saturday that its series of inspections led to the discovery of the smuggled items that arrived in the country in eight shipments between December 29, last year, and February 10, 2023.
Among these shipments, five came from China, two from Hong Kong, and one from India, all containing “misdeclared and undeclared” red and white onions, sugar, and cigarettes.
According to Intelligent Officer 3 Alvin Enciso, the Customs Intelligence and Investigation Service conducted the string of inspections from February 17 to 23, following “derogatory information” they received about the contrabands.
Deputy Commissioner for Intelligence Group Juvymax Uy lauded the successful operations that had led to the seizure of millions worth of agricultural products.
“Our intel officers and agents are highly skilled and equipped at detecting the concealment methods for these smuggling activities,” said Uy in a statement.
He disclosed that three consignees of the shipments would need to present the proper permits for the importation of the goods.
Without the requirements, he said that the BOC would seize and forfeit the proceedings against the subject shipments “for violation of Sec. 1400 (misdeclaration in goods declaration) in relation to Sec. 1113 (property subject to seizure and forfeiture) of Republic Act No. 10863 known as the Customs Modernization and Tariff Act (CMTA) and Republic Act 10845 or the Anti-Agricultural Smuggling Act of 2016.”
“The case records will also be forwarded to the Bureau’s Action Team Against Smugglers (BATAS) for the filing of appropriate charges and criminal cases against those responsible for the illegal importation of the said agricultural products,” the statement said.