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The Bureau of Customs filed criminal charges against importers of cyanide and used helicopters
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A shipment falsely declared as molybdate from the United Kingdom contained sodium cyanide that originated from China
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Another shipment, initially declared as surplus helicopter parts, was found to contain two used helicopters
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The BOC has submitted 87 criminal complaints to the Department of Justice since January 2023 as part of efforts to combat illegal imports and smuggling activities
The Bureau of Customs (BOC) filed separate criminal charges against importers of cyanide and used helicopters before the Department of Justice (DOJ) on October 6.
The first charge involves hazardous cargo that arrived at the Port of Manila on August 23. The shipment was falsely declared as molybdate contained in 652 drums and from the United Kingdom, the BOC said in a statement.
A customs inspection revealed the steel drums instead held sodium cyanide at a purity level of 98% originating from China.
The importer now faces one count of violation of Section 1401 (e) in connection with Sections 1400 and 117 of Republic Act No. 10863 or the Customs Modernization Tariff Act (CMTA); and RA 6969 or the Toxic Substances and Hazardous and Nuclear Wastes Control Act of 1990.
The shipment also violated the Department of Environment and Natural Resources Administrative Order No. 39, Series of 1997 or the Chemical Control Order for Cyanide and Cyanide Compounds.
In a separate incident, a shipment that arrived at the Manila International Container Port in May 2023 was originally declared to contain surplus helicopter parts.
However, upon closer inspection, it was discovered to contain two used helicopters with associated parts. The consignee is now facing charges of violating Section 1401 (e) and Section 1400 in connection with Section 1113 of the CMTA.
Since January 2023, the BOC has submitted 87 criminal complaints to the DOJ, demonstrating its intensified efforts to combat illegal imports and smuggling activities.
