Bureau of Customs (BOC) agents assigned in Manila North Harbor seized P131.9 million worth of smuggled frozen goods from China
The three reefer vans, consigned to Victory JM Enterprise OPC, were placed under physical examination on Dec. 12. after the Customs Intelligence and Investigation Service – Manila International Container Port received derogatory information about misdeclared and undeclared items in the shipments.
“We will file the appropriate criminal charges against the consignees as soon as the proper paperwork is done. We need to apply the fullest extent of the law against these groups. They have been making a mockery of our laws and the agency itself for believing that their modus will work every single time,” Customs Commissioner Yogi Filemon Ruiz said.
The consignees declared the shipments to contain only frozen prawn balls but upon examination, Customs agents found frozen meat, garlic short rib, and smoked duck breast in the containers.
The CIIS-MICP first requested the issuance of Pre-Lodgement Control Orders (PLCOs) on these shipments last Dec. 7, 2022 for suspected violation of the Customs Modernization and Tariff Act (CMTA).
Customs Deputy Commissioner Juvymax Uy took pride in this latest operation, noting the proper coordination among the different departments.
“This demonstrates the accuracy of the information we get from our sources and the immediacy by which we act to eventually put these people behind bars. As an agency that work against syndicates, smugglers, and many other criminal groups, we are always up against a
big challenge but I’m also confident our team can handle it,” he said.
CIIS Director Jeoffrey Tacio also recognized what he called the “invaluable contribution” of everyone in the operation, including inputs from the Department of Agriculture (DA).
The DA, in partnership with BOC, is likewise pursuing agricultural smugglers. Just recently, it intercepted suspicious shipments at the Port of Subic with BOC.
“This is hard won. Every successful operation for us is like threading a needle. We have to work together seamlessly for everything to fall into place. Seizing these smuggled items and arresting the responsible individuals are the end goal for every operation,” he said.
Victory JM Enterprise OPC will face charges for the possible violation of Sec. 1400 (misdeclaration in goods declaration) in relation to Sec. 1113 (property subject to seizure and forfeiture) of the CMTA.
The examiners also recommended for the issuance of a Warrant of Seizure and Detention (WSD) on the shipment.
The intensified crackdown against agricultural smuggling came following the directives of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. amid the rising prices of commodities in the local markets.