BOC seizes P16M-worth of smuggled onions from China

The Bureau of Customs (BOC) foiled for the second time this month an importer’s attempt to smuggle into the country P16 million worth of red onions from China.

Employing the same modus, ASD Total Package Enterprises Inc. tried to smuggle in eight containers of onion at the Manila International Container Port (MICP) by misdeclaring the product as apples. Earlier this month, the BOC seized from ASD six containers of onions worth P12 million.

Customs Commissioner Isidro Lapeña said that what ASD does is it hides the sacks of onions by putting two stacks of apple cartons at the front of the container. He added that they discovered this fresh batch of misdeclared goods due to his order placing all of ASD’s shipments on alert.

Apart from its accreditation being suspended, ASD also faces smuggling charges.

Meanwhile, a shipment of 675 master cases of Chinese cigarettes, consigned to Pan Subic Brother Manufacturing, was also found at MICP, more than a year since it arrived in the country.

Lapeña said these cigarettes were not fit for public consumption as these did not have graphic warnings and were not cleared by the Food and Drug Administration.  /kga