The anti-smuggling unit of the Bureau of Customs (BOC) raided a warehouse in Malabon that resulted in the seizure of approximately P4.72-million worth of smuggled agricultural products.
Seized during the warehouse raid in Catmon, Malabon were imported vegetables like broccoli, carrots and red onions last Nov. 11, Thursday.
BOC Customs Intelligence and Investigation Service (CIIS) chief Alvin Enciso led the operations with officers from the Manila International Container Port (MICP) through the Letter of Authority (LOA) and Mission Order from customs commissioner Rey Leonardo B. Guerrero.
“Our mandate has always been to clear our ports of all kinds of smuggling,” said Enciso.
“Recently, we’ve been getting information about smuggled fruits and vegetables, which we have been acting upon diligently.”
“As I’ve said earlier, smuggling agricultural products into the country is very personal to a lot of our countrymen since we depend heavily on our agricultural industry,” he added.
The joint operatives discovered seven reefer vans used as temporary cold storage in one of the warehouses inside the compound. Of the seven, three contained smuggled broccoli, carrots, red onions, and other imported products while four were empty.
The team placed temporary seals and padlocks on the warehouse to secure it.
Inventory of the goods is underway, which shall be conducted by the customs examiner and witnessed by CIIS, Enforcement and Security Service (ESS), and the Coast Guard.
Guerrero commended the latest operation of the BOC with other government agencies, as the bureau continues to put in place measures in hopes to secure certain industries and sectors.