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Rare, endangered carnivorous plants seized by BOC, DENR agents

Philippines | National

Rare, endangered carnivorous plants seized by BOC, DENR agents

By Ariel Fernandez

A total of 276 carnivorous plants have been seized from 10 packages coming from the Netherlands, the Bureau of Customs-Ninoy Aquino International Airport (BOC-NAIA) said.

(Photo from BOC-NAIA)

The confiscation was carried out by joint BOC-NAIA and Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) operatives at Paircargo Warehouse in Pasay City on Monday, July 5.

The carnivorous plants were discovered during the 100 percent physical examination of the imported packages.

Verification with the DENR revealed that the plants were unlawfully imported to the country as they didn't have the required Sanitary and Phytosanitary Import Clearance and CITES Permit from the agency.

The plants, which have an estimated value of P150,000, were later identified as Drosera, Nepenthes, Dionaea, Sarracenia, Pinguicula, and Cephalotus.

(Photo from BOC-NAIA)

Carnivorous plants have already been globally declared as critically endangered and are among the world’s rarest and most endangered plants. The collection and trade of these insect-eating plants are restricted under Republic Act (RA) No. 9147, otherwise known as the Philippine Wildlife Resources Conservation and Protection Act.

The intercepted packages were subsequently turned over to the DENR for rehabilitation and care pursuant to Section 11 of RA No.9147 and Section 1147 of RA No.10863 known as the Customs Modernization and Tariff Act (CMTA) and Section 8 of Customs Administrative Order No. 10-2020.

Aside from criminal prosecution by the DENR for violation of RA No.9147 against the personalities behind the foiled smuggling attempt, case records of the subject shipment will be referred to the Bureau Action Team Against Smugglers (BATAS) and legal service of the BOC for further case build-up and prosecution for violation of Section 1401 of the CMTA.

Related Tags

70721 carnivorous plants endangered BOC DENR NAIA

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