Smuggling raps filed vs 4 traders

Bureau of Customs Commissioner Ruffy Biazon files a criminal complaint with the Department of Justice in Manila on Thursday against four traders for unlawful importation of onions and potatoes worth P43 million. INQUIRER/NIÑO JESUS ORBETA

MANILA, Philippines—The Bureau of Customs (BoC) on Thursday filed with the Department of Justice (DoJ) smuggling complaint against four traders allegedly responsible for illegal importation of onions and potatoes worth P43-million.

Facing a complaint for violation of the Tariff and Customs Code of the Philippines are Nazario R. Canono and Tirso S. Otar, responsible officers of D’Golden House, Vivian P. Rosales, owner-proprietor of Alvee Trading and William M. Lejano, owner-proprietor of Aya Day Trading.

Canono, Otar, Rosales and Lejano brought into the country 23×40 containers of onions and potatoes without the necessary import permits and clearances from the Department of Agriculture. Smuggled onions and potatoes were declared as shortening, yeast, lanolin and margarine in violation of Section 3601 in relation to 2503 of the Tariff and Customs Code of the Philippines.

“These attempts to bring into the country illegally imported onions are not intended to fill in a demand or shortage, but simply, to exploit the high demand for the crop, to the detriment, of course, of our local farmers,”  Commissioner Rufino Biazon said.