P12-M contraband seized; BOC readies powerful X-rays

The Bureau of Customs (BOC) seized some P12 million worth of “misdeclared” cargoes consisting of used tires and computer accessories in separate shipments recently.

BOC chief Ruffy Biazon said the smuggled items which were loaded in two 40-foot container vans illegally entered Manila International Container Port.

One of the shipments, which arrived from Japan on Jan. 24 and consigned to Nolman Commercial, was falsely registered to be that of oil filters and pistons.

The other shipment, which arrived from Singapore last month, was consigned to Victorious One Enterprises and was found to contain Internet broadband Wi-Fi routers, network cables, antivirus CDs and iPhone cases, among others.

The misdeclared cargoes were discovered through X-ray scanners at the MICP, Biazon said. Earlier this week, smuggled goods worth over P100 million were seized by BOC operatives in Cebu City.

The cargo included rice, white sugar, counterfeit leather goods and personal accessories, firearms and a motorcycle. “With the eventual full implementation of the BOC’s e2m (electronic-to-mobile automated export system) National Single Window Programs, coupled with the X-Ray Project’s enhanced scanning capabilities, we should be seeing more revenues and less smuggling attempts in the days ahead,” Biazon added.  Tina G. Santos