HANOI: Smuggled produce was intercepted by the Department of Agriculture (DA) keeping local products safe from unfair competition.In a statement, the DA reported P140 million worth of smuggled agricultural products were seized at the Mindanao Container Terminal in Tagaloan, Misamis Oriental.
Agriculture Undersecretary Emerson Palad Palad said the DA with the Bureau of Plant Industry and Sugar and Regulatory Administration were part of an interagency inventory and examination of the Bureau of Customs of the containers of rice, sugar, garlic, carrots and potatoes, which were seized last week.
“Smuggled agri products endanger the livelihood of our farmers and the health of our consumers,” the statement said.The DA reported there were seventy-eight containers put on alert status because of the general declarations of kitchenware, houseware, tiles and mixed condiments.
The DA and BOC have intensified anti-smuggling efforts in Mindanao ports to prevent the illegal entry of goods, which affect the market for local produce and other items.The goods entered Mindanao through several shipments from China and Vietnam.Only two consignees, EC Peninsula and New Dawn Enterprises, imported them all.
The shipments already raised alarm signals at the BOC though outright misdeclaration is one of the most common forms of concealment, apprehending goods smuggled this way still tests the BOC’s mettle in intelligence, profiling, risk management, and interagency teamwork.
The consignees have already been charged of smuggling before the Department of Justice.The province is in close coordination with the BOC to monitor vegetables as well as to safeguard the interest of highland farmers.
The BOC is tasked to pursue legal measures against the persons responsible for these attempts and for violating the Tariffs and Customs Code of the Philippines (TCCP).In 2013, the BOC seized three 40-footer container vans of illegally imported fresh potatoes and carrots worth P7.5 million from China.
