Agents of the Bureau of Customs (BOC) seized some P410,000 worth of used clothing and shoes, locally known as "ukay-ukay" in an anti-smuggling operation in Matnog, Sorsogon.
In a statement, the BOC said the 31 bales of used clothes and 10 bales of used shoes were on their way from Manila to Northern Samar when intercepted by joint BOC and Philippine Coast Guard personnel.
"The goods were onboard a private van," the statement read, adding that the van was supposed to board a ferry at the Port of Matnog.
The BOC then ecommended the issuance of a Warrant of Seizure and Detention (WSD) against the goods and their conveyance for violation of Sections 118, 1113, and 1401 of Republic Act (R.A.) 10863 or the Customs Modernization and Tariff Act.
It also violated Republic Act No. 4653, or "An Act to Safeguard the Health of the People and Maintain the Dignity of the Nation by Declaring it a National Policy to Prohibit the Commercial Importation of Textile Articles Commonly Known as Used Clothing and Rags."
"The operation was part of the Bureau of Customs' continuing efforts to secure the country's borders against the entry of prohibited goods," the statement read.