ILIGAN CITY -- Around P50 million worth of smuggled red onions were seized by the Sub-Task Group Economic Intelligence (STGEI) and the Bureau of Customs-Port of Cagayan de Oro at the Mindanao Container Terminal (MCT), Tagoloan, Misamis Oriental on Nov. 8 and 9, 2021.

Department of Agriculture Assistant Secretary and co-chair of the STGEI on Food Security, Federico E. Laciste, Jr disclosed this in a press conference on Tuesday, Nov. 9 at the Bureau of Custom's Office (BOC) in Tagoloan, Misamis Oriental.
Following the verification and examination of 18 forty-footer container vans, consigned by R2H Trading with declared imported commodities as breaded shrimp, flavored nuts, curdled cream milk, crustaceans, acidified cream, smoked crawfish, and breaded improver, it was found out that the containers vans contained red onions from China.
Smuggled agricultural products have no Sanitary and Phytosanitary Import Clearance (SPSIC) issued by the DA-Bureau of Plant Industry, which may carry possible pests or diseases that will affect local crops and health safety of the consumers.
Laciste emphasized that they are not fit for human consumption and must be properly disposed of.
BOC Sub-Port Collector John Simon commended the concerted efforts of the SGEI composite team in Northern Mindanao, comprising of the National Intelligence Coordinating Agency (NICA), Department of Trade and Industry (DTI), DA-BPI Plant Quarantine Service (DA-BPI PQS), and the DA-Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (DA-BFAR), which yielded a positive turnout for their relentless efforts to curb the smuggling of agri cultural products.
The One DA team, headed by DA-10 Regional Executive Director Carlene C. Collado with Regional Technical Director for Operations Carlota S. Madriaga, DA-BPI-PQS 10 Regional Manager Manuel A. Barradas also lauded the agencies involved in the operation.