BOC: P150M worth of suspected smuggled agri products ‘padlocked’ at NCR warehouses

Agents from the Customs Intelligence and Investigation Service (CIIS) at the Manila International Container Port (MICP) led by Intelligence Officer 3 Alvin Enciso inspect boxes of allegedly smuggled agricultural products found in six warehouses in the cities of Manila, Navotas, and Caloocan starting Wednesday, April 12, 2023. Photo from the Bureau of Customs

MANILA, Philippines — Authorities have “padlocked” P150 million worth of suspected smuggled agricultural products following a series of operations that targeted several warehouses in Metro Manila, the Bureau of Customs (BOC) said Monday.

Reports from BOC showed that six different warehouses in the cities of Caloocan, Manila, and Navotas were searched during operations conducted by the Customs Intelligence and Investigation Service-Manila International Container Port (CIIS-MICP), Enforcement and Security Service-MICP (ESS-MICP), and ESS-Quick Reaction Team (ESS-QRT) starting Wednesday, April 12.

Undocumented frozen meat like beef, pork, chicken, round scad, and fresh fruits like apples, oranges, grapes, and kiwi were found in all but one storage in Navotas.

According to BOC, operatives launched the operation after Commissioner Bien Rubio issued the Letters of Authority (LOAs), which prompted Deputy Commissioner for Intelligence Group Juvymax Uy to act on the information they received.

“Right now, our team is a well-oiled machine running after these smuggling groups. The operations yesterday showed how our officers work day and night to make sure these products will not make it to our local markets,” Rubio said.

“Law enforcement and border control are challenging work. A country’s borders, in particular, are dynamic environments. We hope we are sending a clear message to these groups that we will never tire,” he added.

The BOC said the Navotas warehouse, which was empty, appeared to be under construction as a cold storage facility to allegedly house the purportedly smuggled items. All six warehouses were sealed, it added.

Agents from the Customs Intelligence and Investigation Service (CIIS) at the Manila International Container Port (MICP) led by Intelligence Officer 3 Alvin Enciso inspect boxes of allegedly smuggled agricultural products found in six warehouses in the cities of Manila, Navotas, and Caloocan starting Wednesday, April 12, 2023. Photo from the Bureau of Customs

Uy said he and Rubio planned to visit the facilities where the alleged smuggled items were stored. He also thanked BOC personnel who conducted the operations for remaining committed to their mandate.

“While we want to thank the good commissioner for relentlessly reminding us of the work that lies ahead, I also want to commend our tireless BOC officers who face these challenges every day. They are armed with extensive training, sound judgment, and, more than anything else, a steadfast commitment to our mandate,” Rubio added.

The BOC said owners of the agricultural goods and warehouses would be asked to present importation documents or proof of payment for the products. It also said that if they cannot present the pertinent documents, the items will finally be confiscated and forfeited.

Ultimately, the BOC said the owners would face complaints for violating Sections 1400 (Misdeclaration in Goods Declaration) in relation to Section 1113 (Property Subject to Seizure and Forfeiture) of Republic Act No. 10863 or the Customs Modernization and Tariff Act (CMTA) if the agricultural goods are determined to be smuggled. With reports from Aliah Gumasing, trainee

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