The Bureau of Customs (BOC) seized some P3.5 million worth of what it described as exotic aquatic wildlife at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA).
In a statement, the BOC Port of NAIA said the seized items were part of an importation of Aquaxotic Enterprises and originated from Thailand.
Among those confiscated were 180 albino soft shelled turtles and 120 pacman turtles and 38,188 various exotic fishes. Also discovered were various aquatic plants such as 718 anubias plants and 260 pieces of microsorium plants.
The shipment included animals and plants that were not declared under the Aquaxotic's permit to import.
The BOC said it violated Section 1400 of Republic Act 10863, or the Customs Modernization and Tarrif Act (CMTA).
Recently, the BOC-NAIA was recognized by TRAFFIC Southeast Asia for the Port's efforts against wildlife trafficking for 2021 which resulted in the interception of 923 tarantulas and otger arachnids, five centipedes, 66 Philippine and Malaysian reptiles, 22 Thailand bearded dragons and six Thailand live tegus.