The Bureau of Customs (BOC) confiscated some P9 million worth of smuggled agricultural products in a raid in a warehouse in Valenzuela City.
The joint team from the MICP-CIIS and PCG (Manila International Container Port-Customs Intelligence and Investigation Service (MICP-CIIS) and operatives of the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) conducted the operation at the warehouse owned by Morehouse Marketingin Barangay Ugong on Friday, Oct. 8.
They discovered red onions, carrots, ginger and mung beans inside 8,000 sacks.
The anti-smuggling operatives presented the Letter of Authority (LOA) signed by Customs Commissioner Rey Leonardo B. Guerrero to the representative of the firm that own the warehouse.
BOC Deputy Commissioner for Intelligence Raniel Ramiro said that the operation aims to complement the anti-smuggling efforts of the bureau, which also seized several warehouses a few weeks ago.
“This is not a one- or two-time thing. This is a continuous effort from the bureau and the MICP-CIIP. The goal is not to allow even one sack of agri products to enter the country illegally because we cannot saturate the market with these smuggled products. It will have such a huge impact on the economy, on our farmers," said Ramito.
This operation was conducted in the same week when the team seized P50 million worth of agricultural products, frozen seafood, cosmetic products, and infringed goods.
In connection with the operation, the BOC will examine the seized products for inventory before the issuance of a Warrants of Seizure and Detention (WSD) in accordance with Section 1113 of Customs Modernization and Tariff Act and existing regulations of the Bureau of Plant Industry.