Agents of the Customs Intelligence and Investigation Service-Manila International Container Port (CIIS-MICP) of the Bureau of Customs (BOC) discovered more than P131 .9 million worth of frozen foods during an examination of three container vans that came from China.
BOC Commissioner Yogi Filemon Ruiz said the shipment arrived at the MICP and were declared to be containing only frozen prawn balls.
But during the physical examination, it was found out that the shipments also contain frozen meat, garlic short rib, and smoked duck breast.
“We will file the appropriate criminal charges against the consignees as soon as the proper paperwork is done. We need to apply the fullest extent of the law against these groups. They have been making a mockery of our laws and the agency itself for believing that their modus will work every single time,” Ruiz said.
The BOC said Victory JM Enterprise OPC will face charges for the possible violation of Sec. 1400 (misdeclaration in goods declaration) in relation to Sec. 1113 (property subject to seizure and forfeiture) of the CMTA.
The examiners also recommended for the issuance of a Warrant of Seizure and Detention (WSD) on the shipment.
The three container vans were consigned to Victory JM Enterprise OPC and were subjected to examination after CIIS-MICP agents received derogatory information about misdeclared items in the shipment.
The total estimated amount of the frozen goods found in the containers is P131,902,500.
BOC Deputy Commissioner Juvymax Uy said the CIIS-MICP first requested the issuance of Pre-Lodgement Control Orders (PLCOs) on the shipments on Dec. 7 for suspected violation of the Customs Modernization and Tariff Act (CMTA).
“This demonstrates the accuracy of the information we get from our sources and the immediacy by which we act to eventually put these people behind bars. As an agency that work against syndicates, smugglers, and many other criminal groups, we are always up against a big challenge but I’m also confident our team can handle it,” he said.
For his part, CIIS Director Jeoffrey Tacio recognized what he called the “invaluable contribution” of everyone in the operation, including inputs from the Department of Agriculture (DA).
The DA, in partnership with BOC, is likewise pursuing agricultural smugglers. Just recently, it intercepted suspicious shipments at the Port of Subic with BOC.
“This is hard won. Every successful operation for us is like threading a needle. We have to work together seamlessly for everything to fall into place. Seizing these smuggled items and arresting the responsible individuals are the end goal for every operation,” said Tacio.
The intensified crackdown against agricultural smuggling came after the direction of President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. amid the rising prices of commodities in the local markets.