CEBU, Philippines — The Bureau of Customs in Cebu has seized an estimated P460 million worth of smuggled goods in 2020.
BOC-Cebu acting District Collector Charlito Martin Mendoza said yesterday that these contrabands were shipped in 69 shipments coming from different parts of the world.
These shipments include tobacco, motor vehicles and parts, used clothing, unregistered medicines and foodstuff, general merchandise, agricultural products and among others.
Mendoza said that some of those confiscated items were auctioned while some were destroyed like the tobacco as these were considered as contraband and cannot be subjected to a public auction.
Mendoza calls on businessmen to pay the correct customs taxes and duties and declare their goods in order to avoid apprehension of goods and possible charges in court.
“My message sa mga businessmen natin is for them to declare their goods and pay proper taxes para walang problema. Kami naman ayaw namin na manghuli because we also want to facilitate business,” Mendoza said in an interview.
Mendoza added that the bureau’s personnel will continue to be relentless in their fight against smuggling. — GMR (FREEMAN)