THE Bureau of Customs (BOC) on Monday announced the seizure of smuggled agricultural products during a raid in two storage facilities in Dagat-Dagatan, Navotas City.
A team from the Customs Intelligence and Investigation Service (CIIS), the Department of Agriculture (DA), and the Navotas Police Station found inside the establishments agricultural and food products including onions, carrots, tomatoes, enoki mushrooms, Chinese noodles, and Chinese kimchi.
The goods were allegedly brought into the country without payment of duties and taxes.
One storage unit contained 132.75 tons of white onions valued at P21.2 million, while the other held 89.89 tons of imported carrots worth P13.48 million. Additionally, 360 kilos of tomatoes, 10 kilos of enoki mushrooms, and 92.25 tons of imported white onions were found in a 40-foot container van.
CIIS director Verne Enciso said the warehousemen refused to receive their raid permit prompting them to forcibly open the doors to the storage facilities and containers.
The operation was conducted in coordination with the city’s Business Permit and Licensing Office, the Special Weapons and Tactics teams, and barangay officials.
Customs Commissioner Bienvenido Rubio emphasized the commitment to uphold trade regulations and safeguard the integrity of the agricultural sector against illicit activities.
"This successful operation is a testament to our relentless effort to crack down on the smuggling of agricultural products," said Rubio.
“We are resolute in our mission to protect our local farmers and industries from unfair competition and ensure that those who violate our laws are held accountable. This is just one of many steps we are taking to intensify our crackdown on smuggling activities,” he added.
Customs Intelligence chief Juvymax Uy, whose team received and verified the information about the facilities, said coordination with relevant agencies “ensures the safety of our markets and consumers.”
Editor’s Note: This is an updated article. Originally posted with the headline Smuggled agricultural goods seized in Navotas
