BOC files complaint vs trader, broker for alleged smuggling of onions

MANILA, Philippines—The Bureau of Customs on Thursday filed with the Department of Justice (DOJ) smuggling complaint against a trader and her broker for the unlawful importation of P16-million worth of onions.

Facing a complaint for violation of the Tariff and Customs Code and Article 172 of the Revised Penal Code for Falsification are Emelita T. Ramirez, owner of ETR Trading together with her broker Sheila T. Larrachocea.

The two, based on the complaint, allegedly conspired to smuggle into the country 4×40 container vans of fresh red onions from China using fake import permits as certified by Clarito Barron, Director of the Bureau of Plant Industry (BPI).