P136 million fake, agricultural products seized

MANILA, Philippines — More than P136 million worth of undeclared and counterfeit agricultural products were confiscated yesterday at the Port of Manila by the Bureau of Customs.

BOC Commissioner Ariel Nepomuceno inspected the contraband loaded in 25 shipping containers.

Initially declared as plastic racks, Nepomuceno said the goods originated from China and were consigned to a construction supply company.

During physical examination, the BOC discovered that the shipping containers were filled with suspected smuggled agricultural products such as rice and sugar with an estimated value of P18.134 million as well as fake goods worth P59.343 million.

Also seized were chemicals valued at P101,000; used clothing, P22 million; electronics items, P2.1 million; pharmaceutical products, P669,000; food products valued at P43.75 million, and various commodities worth P34.523 million.

There were also cosmetic items found to be unlabeled and unregistered, posing potential risks to consumer safety.

“This is exactly the kind of abuse we are determined to stop. When shipments are deliberately misdeclared, smugglers not only deprive the government of revenue, they also put consumers and legitimate businesses at risk,” Nepomuceno said.

“We are tightening our border controls to ensure these shipments are intercepted before these products can do harm,” he added.

The BOC initiated enforcement actions, including further investigation and the institution of seizure and forfeiture proceedings pursuant to provisions of the Customs Modernization and Tariff Act.