Customs seizes P4.7 million smuggled goods in Malabon

MANILA, Philippines — The Bureau of Customs (BOC) recently confiscated P4.72 million worth of agricultural products believed to have been smuggled from China.

Personnel of the BOC Manila International Container Terminal and Customs Intelligence and Investigation Service (CIIS) inspected a warehouse in Barangay Catmon, Malabon where they seized imported agricultural products such as broccoli, carrots and onions.

The BOC said the smuggled goods were placed in refrigerated shipping containers.

The operation was conducted based on a letter of authority and mission order issued by Customs Commissioner Rey Leonardo Guerrero.

The BOC padlocked the warehouse pending an inventory of the goods.

The CIIS said it would recommend the issuance of a warrant of seizure and detention for the smuggled products following the inventory.

The BOC said it has yet to identify the importer of the agricultural goods.

The Bureau of Plant Industry said it did not issue any import permits for the products.

The BOC said it would question the owner of the warehouse for keeping illegally imported agricultural products.

The operation was carried out by the BOC in coordination with the Department of Agriculture, Philippine Coast Guard, National Intelligence Coordinating Agency, Department of Trade and Industry as well as the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group.