BOC seizes P174-M illegal goods in Valenzuela warehouse

MANILA, Philippines — The Bureau of Customs (BOC) has confiscated P174 million worth of various illegal goods believed to have originated from China. 

In a statement on Thursday, the BOC said that it conducted an operation last April 14, in close coordination with the Philippine National Police. It noted that it implemented a Letter of Authority on the same day at the warehouse, which is believed to be the storage of the illicit goods.

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“During the inspection, the team discovered various goods inside aside from the vape-related products, the warehouse also contained machinery, electronic devices, assorted foreign medicines, foodstuff, apparel, cosmetic products, LED lighting products, and assorted goods with an estimated value of P174,863,576.94,” the BOC said. 

The agency also said that the items pose potential health and safety risks as they lack necessary importation permits and they were suspected to infringe intellectual property rights.

The agency added that it will coordinate with the National Bureau of Investigation for appropriate case build-up and filing of appropriate charges. 

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With this operation, BOC Commissioner Ariel Nepomuceno warned that successful entry of smuggled goods to the market may harm the public.

“What concerns us most is that these products, if they make their way into our markets and homes, may pose serious risks to the health and safety of our people,” Nepomuceno said in the same statement. /das