Customs seizes P32 million worth of smuggled onions

MANILA, Philippines — Agricultural smuggling remains a problem in the country with P32 million worth of onions recently seized by the government.

The Bureau of Customs said it foiled the entry of smuggled agricultural goods twice this week, both at the Mindanao Container Terminal Port in Misamis Oriental.

The first operation involved shipments consisting of seven containers declared as other farm goods but were eventually found to be red and white onions worth P21 million.

Three containers consigned to Frankie Trading Enterprises were declared as butter and dairy spreads, while four other containers owned by Primex Export and Import Producer were stated as spring roll patties.

Just a few days before that, Customs busted four containers also consigned to Primex Export, which declared the shipments as spring roll patties but an examination by authorities showed that these were red and white onions worth around P12 million.

The BOC will issue warrants of seizure and detention against both shipments for violation of the Customs Modernization and Tariff Act.

It hopes that these operations would serve as a warning to unscrupulous individuals who deprive the government of lawful revenues through their smuggling activities.

Onion smuggling continues to proliferate amid lack of sufficient domestic production. The country’s onion sufficiency has been declining.