BOC seizes over P34-M smuggled agri goods inside a Navotas cold storage

An officer of the Bureau of Customs (BOC) Customs Intelligence and Investigation Service inspects the smuggled onions seized at a cold storage facility in Navotas City last August 15. According to the BOC, the estimated cost of all the smuggled agricultural products seized is around P36 million. (Photo from the Bureau of Customs)

MANILA, Philippines — Smuggled agricultural products said to be worth P34.68 million were seized by combined operatives from the Bureau of Customs (BOC) and the Department of Agriculture (DA) in Navotas City, the BOC said on Monday.

Reports from the BOC showed that they received intelligence information from an informant, which led the two agencies to seek the assistance of the Navotas Police Station and local barangay officials to inspect two cold storage units containing a variety of agricultural goods.

Among the items discovered are significant quantities of the following:

• onions
• carrots
• tomatoes
• enoki mushrooms
• Chinese noodles
• Chinese kimchi

The first cold storage facility had at least 132.75 tons of white onions, believed to worth P21.2 million.  The other facility contained 89.89 tons of imported carrots, worth some P13.48 million.  Both facilities contained goods that were moved into the country without proper payment of duties and taxes.

“This successful operation is a testament to our relentless effort to crack down on the smuggling of agricultural products,” Customs Commissioner Bien Rubio said in a statement.

“We are resolute in our mission to protect our local farmers and industries from unfair competition and ensure that those who violate our laws are held accountable. This is just one of many steps we are taking to intensify our crackdown on smuggling activities,” he added.

READ: BOC seizes agri products misdeclared as frozen sea food in Subic 

Customs Intelligence and Investigation Service (CIIS) Director Verne Enciso meanwhile said that the warehouse owners, representatives, lessees, lessors, or occupants refused to receive the Letter of Authority (LOA) issued by the commissioner.

Intelligence Group Deputy Commissioner Juvymax Uy meanwhile lauded the agencies’ efforts to respond to the intelligence report that they verified.

“Because the warehouse representatives refused to acknowledge the LOA, they resorted to forcing open the inner gate door of the cold storage and container doors,” Enciso said.

“Coordinating with relevant agencies ensures the safety of our markets and consumers. These operations are crucial in driving the message to these organizations that our intention is to pulverize them to the ground,” Uy added.

As of now, BOC agents with the help of police officers, local government staffers from Navotas’ Business Permit and Licensing Office (BPLO), and barangay officials have sealed the warehouse doors to secure the confiscated items.

According to BOC, the owners and representatives of the cold storage facilities may face complaints for violation of Section 1400 (Misdeclaration in goods declaration) and Section 117 (Regulated importation) of Republic Act No. 10863, also known as the Customs Modernization and Tariff Act. With reports from Arianne Denisse Cagsawa, trainee