Businesswoman, broker charged with smuggling P16-M onions

MANILA, Philippines - A businesswoman and her broker were charged by the Bureau of Customs (BOC) Thursday with allegedly smuggling P16 million worth of onions from China.

In a statement, BOC Commissioner Rufino Biazon said they filed a complaint with the Department of Justice against ETR Trading owner Emelita Ramirez and her broker, Shiela Larrachochea, for reportedly using fake import permits to bring four 40-footer shipping containers of fresh red onions into the country.

“These attempts to bring into the country illegally imported onions are not intended to fill in a demand or shortage, but simply, to exploit the high demand for the crop, to the detriment… of our local farmers,” Biazon said.