BOC seizes P120 million worth of suspected smuggled poultry in Navotas

Customs agents inspect boxes of smuggled frozen food products found in warehouses in Navotas City after a series of raids on Friday, March 17, 2023. Photo from BOC.

MANILA, Philippines — The Bureau of Customs (BOC) and other government agencies seized P120 million worth of meat and seafood products thought to be smuggled from overseas, according to the Bureau on Saturday.

The BOC, together with officials from the Department of Agriculture, National Meat Inspection Service, and the Philippine Coast Guard, conducted a series of raids across seven warehouses in Navotas City on Friday.

“Upon inspection of the warehouses, the team found various poultry products, such as frozen pork legs, chicken drumsticks, pork spareribs, squid rings, crayfish, pork ears, pork hinges, balone, brawley beef, pork aorta, chicken feet, pork riblets, golden pampano, pangasius fillet, boneless pork ham, fish tofu, and pork ears,” said the BOC in a statement.

According to the BOC, some of the seafood was from China, the beef was from Brazil and Australia, and the pork was from Russia and the United States.

The officials also found a warehouse that was repurposed into a cold storage facility.

“They then proceeded to temporarily padlock and seal the warehouses, including the empty storage facility, the keys of which were turned over to the barangay officials present during the inspection,” said the Bureau.

The owner of the goods would then be asked to present necessary importation documents or proof of payment by Customs authorities.

“If found without proper documents, the corresponding seizure and forfeiture proceedings will be conducted against the subject shipments for violation of Sec. 1400 (misdeclaration in goods declaration) in relation to Sec. 1113 (property subject to seizure and forfeiture) of Republic Act No. 10863 known as the Customs Modernization and Tariff Act,” concluded the BOC.

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