-
The Bureau of Customs discovered P150 million worth of potentially smuggled agricultural products, including frozen meat and fresh fruits
-
The goods were found in six warehouses in Caloocan, Manila, and Navotas, which the BOC temporarily padlocked
-
The discovery was made during a series of inspections on April 12 stemming from derogatory information received by BOC
-
The owners of the goods will be required to present importation documents or proof of payment
The Bureau of Customs (BOC) discovered P150 million worth of potentially smuggled agricultural products, including frozen meat and fresh fruits, from six warehouses in Metro Manila that were subsequently temporarily padlocked.
The discovery was made during a series of inspections on April 12 that stemmed from derogatory information received by BOC. Customs commissioner Bienvenido Rubio then issued letters of instructions for the inspections led by the Customs Intelligence and Investigation Service (CIIS)-Manila International Container Port, Enforcement and Security Service (ESS)-MICP, and ESS-Quick Reaction Team (QRT).
“Right now, our team is a well-oiled machine running after these smuggling groups. The operations yesterday showed how our officers work day and night to make sure these products will not make it to our local markets,” Rubio said in a statement.
The six warehouses were located in Caloocan, Manila, and Navotas. BOC said the Navotas warehouse was found empty but was being constructed purposely as a cold storage facility.
BOC said an inventory of the goods will be conducted by the assigned customs examiner and witnessed by agents from the CIIS and ESS-QRT.
The owners of the goods will be required to present importation documents or proof of payment. If proper documents are not presented, seizure and forfeiture proceedings will be conducted against the shipments for violation of Section 1400 (Misdeclaration in Goods Declaration) in relation to Section 1113 (Property Subject to Seizure and Forfeiture) of Republic Act No. 10863, or the Customs Modernization and Tariff Act.
Rubio and Intelligence Group deputy commissioner Juvymax Uy plans to personally visit the facilities where the suspected smuggled products were found.
“The BOC is sending a clear message to these groups that we will never tire in our efforts to prevent these products from entering our local markets. We commend our officers for their commitment to our mandate,” Uy said.
RELATED READ: BOC files 65 cases in Q1, mostly related to agri products
