CEBU CITY – The Bureau of Customs (BOC)-Cebu Subport of Mactan seized undeclared hazardous chemicals valued at P1.5 million from a vessel docked in this city on Sept. 30.
The BOC-Port of Cebu said on Friday, Oct. 8, that they received “derogatory information” from the Customs Intelligence and Investigation Service-Subport of Mactan, prompting prompted Customs personnel to conduct a physical inspection of the vessel from South Korea.
The boarding team found 8,485 liters of hydrochloric acid, potassium hydroxide, and sodium hypochlorite solution, hazardous chemicals not covered by the vessel’s manifest or stores list.
District Collector Charlito Martin R. Mendoza immediately issued a Warrant of Seizure and Detention against the unmanifested cargo after finding probable cause for violating the Customs Modernization and Tariff Act.
They will undergo a forfeiture proceeding and will be disposed of following environmental protocols and existing Customs rules and regulations.
“The Port of Cebu, under the leadership of Commissioner Yogi Filemon L. Ruiz, and aligned with the directives of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., remains fully committed to securing the borders against various clandestine modes of smuggling,” the BOC said.