MANILA, Philippines — A kilogram of smuggled agarwood valued at P750,000 was seized by the Bureau of Customs (BOC) at a warehouse in Pasay City on Thursday.
The BOC said the shipment was declared as dried wood chips.
A physical examination last Jan. 31, however, revealed it to be agarwood, a valuable type of wood used for traditional medicine, perfumes, and other luxury products.
The BOC said those behind the shipment violated Philippine laws regulating endangered species trade, particularly the Customs Modernization and Tariff Act and the Wildlife Resources Conservation and Protection Act.
The Environmental Protection Compliance Division of the BOC led the operation, turning over the confiscated agarwood to the Department of Environment and Natural Resources.
“The BOC will continue to uphold strict enforcement measures against wildlife trafficking, ensuring that our borders are not used for illicit activities that threaten biodiversity and environmental sustainability.,” Customs Commissioner Bienvenido Rubio said in a statement. — with reports from Sheba Maya R. Barr, INQUIRER.net trainee