The Bureau of Customs (BOC) seized a shipment of smuggled vegetables
and other agricultural products declared as frozen seafood worth
millions of pesos at the Port of Subic.
In a statement, the bureau said the confiscated agricultural
products, contained in 15 40-footer container vans, were declared to
contain frozen lobster balls and frozen Surimi crab. However, during
the conduct of a 100% physical examination, the alerted shipments were
instead found to contain assorted fresh vegetables containing
potatoes, carrots, broccoli, and other agri products.
“The seized misdeclared agricultural products will be subjected to
seizure and forfeiture proceedings for violating customs rules, while
the BOC-Action Teams Against Smuggling for corresponding will file
cases and eventual prosecution of personalities responsible for the
foiled smuggling attempt.
Customs Commissioner Bienvenido Rubio said that had it not been for
the timely discovery of the foiled smuggling attempt, several
containers of potentially hazardous agricultural products would have
entered the country to the detriment not only of the health and safety
of the consuming public but similarly the local agricultural industry.
The BOC chief commended the diligence of the men and women of the Port
of Subic in safeguarding the country’s border against the entry of
potentially hazardous agricultural products.
“The BOC-Port of Subic remains unwavering in its commitment to
strictly implementing customs and allied laws, rules, and regulations,
and facilitate the release of only lawfully imported goods,” the BOC
said.
