THE BUREAU of Customs (BoC) seized P53 million worth of smuggled food products from China at the port of Manila yesterday.
In a statement, the bureau said it confiscated 16 containers declared to contain fishballs consigned to Shinerise Trading Service. Upon inspection, they were loaded with carrots, onions, broccoli and potatoes. The consignee paid only P2.54 million in duties and taxes, it said.
“Upon inspection of the subject shipment, Customs examiners found out an estimated P20.08 million worth of carrots, P20.08 million worth of onions, P10.04 million worth of broccoli and P2.51 worth of potatoes,” according to the statement.
Manila Port district collector Arsenia C. Ilagan said they had canceled the consignee’s accreditation and placed the customs broker under investigation.
The shipment arrived in Manila on Aug. 8, while the warrant of seizure and detention was issued on Sept. 4
