Bureau of Customs files raps vs trading firm for smuggle try

Customs Commissioner Ruffy Biazon

The Bureau of Customs (BOC) on Thursday charged before the Department of Justice (DOJ) five officers of a trading company for the alleged smuggling into the country of P300 million worth of fake merchandise and medicines.

Customs Commissioner Ruffy Biazon led the filing of the charges against IMAX Harbor International Trading Corp. president and board chair Doroteo Montalbo, directors Rochelle S. Posadas, Jose N. Dizon, Rafael V. Lactao and Elaine D. Wee and IMAX’s customs broker Roger M. Permejo.

“The smuggling of counterfeit goods is very damaging to the economy, not only in terms of foregone duties and taxes, but also because of its impact on local businesses and labor,” Biazon said.

The respondents allegedly attempted to slip into the country two 40-foot container vans filled with P300 million worth of counterfeit hand bags, medicines, mobile phones, mobile phone batteries, chargers and wristwatches in September.

They were accused of violating the Tariffs and Customs Code of the Philippines, Intellectual Property Code, Special Law on Counterfeit Drugs and the Revised Penal Code.

“Every illegally imported counterfeit bag that is able to enter the local market could be one locally manufactured bag left unsold. And every unsold locally manufactured bag could be a loss of labor man hours,” Biazon said.

“This is precisely the reason we closely monitor all cargoes that enter the country, especially those suspected to be fake,” he added.

Biazon said the IMAX shipment was declared to be plastic products, bags and others. But upon examination by customs officials, the vans yielded counterfeit high-end  bags, medicines and cell phones.

The case against IMAX was the 32nd against alleged smugglers filed by the BOC in the DOJ since Biazon took over as commissioner seven months ago.