MANILA: The Philippines Bureau of Customs said it seized around P140-million worth of agricultural products such as rice, sugar and garlic, at the Mindanao Container Terminal.
The smuggled goods entered Mindanao through several shipments from China and Vietnam, consigned to EC Peninsula and New Dawn Enterprises.
The two companies had previously been charged with smuggling raps by the BOC before the Department of Justice for alleged illegal importation of P80-million worth of glutinous rice last month.
Customs Deputy Commissioner for Intelligence Jessie Dellosa said the 78 container vans were declared as various kitchenware, houseware, tiles and mix condiments, but upon inspection, it was found to have contained various agricultural products like rice, sugar, garlic, carrots and potatoes.
“We put the containers on alert status because of the general declarations of kitchenware, houseware, tiles and mix condiments. Already those were red flags for us as they are often used. Though outright misdeclaration is one of the most common forms of concealment, apprehending goods smuggled this way still tests our mettle in intelligence, profiling, risk management, and interagency teamwork,” Dellosa said.
Customs Commissioner John P. Sevilla said that he ordered the BOC to step up their efforts in curbing smuggling in Mindanao ports.
“We have stepped up our intelligence operations down south to combat unscrupulous importers who always look for points of entry. Our aim is to stop them at every port,” Sevilla said.
