The Bureau of Customs seized smuggled imported shipments worth more than P25 million at the Manila International Container Port.
Customs Commissioner Isidro Lapeña said the confiscated contrabands include agricultural products, liquors, auto and aircraft parts, and other general merchandise.
Lapeña said the apprehension of the shipments was the result of intelligence operations and double checking of the declarations of the consignees.
MICP District Collector lawyer Ruby Alameda said there were 11 shipments held at the port for misdeclaration and lack of required import permits.
The shipments were consigned to JJTS International Trading and declared as woven pile fabrics but were found to contain onions. Four other shipments declared as fabrics and lead lamps were found to contain auto parts, glue machanier, peking ducks, tissue and again, onions.
Another shipment declared as fresh pears and apples consigned to Malaya Multipurpose Cooperative was later discovered to be onions and carrots.
Alameda said that another shipments which were declared as bags, plastic films, fabrics, and writing paper consigned to Zafari Trading were found to contain raw tobacco and cigarette brands Mighty and Jackpot.
Knock-down used aircraft and parts were found in a separate shipment consigned to Greenfive Trading Corp. which was declared as aluminum waste and scrap.
Alameda said that the seized goods came from China, Vietnam, Singapore, and Guam.
According to Lapeña, all shipments will undergo seizure and forfeiture proceedings for violation of pertinent provisions of the Customs Modernization and Tariff Act.
“I have told Atty. Alameda to ensure that a thorough investigation be conducted. The consignees and the customs brokers involved in these importations must be investigated. I have also agreed to her recommendation to suspend their accreditation from BoC,” Lapeña added.
