Joint operatives of the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG) and the Bureau of Customs (BOC) seized 300 tons of imported onions and garlic in simultaneous raids on warehouses in Manila and Malabon on Friday, Feb, 17.
CIDG director Brig. Gen. Romeo Caramat, Jr. said the operation stemmed from confirmed reports of illegal importation or hoarding of agricultural products.
“We have received reports on the rampant illegal importation and smuggling of agri-products as well as the hoarding of locally produced onions and cloves of garlic in areas of Manila and Malabon. And with the Letter of Authority issued by Commissioner Bienvenido Rubio, we set our plan and implement our operation against the owners of these warehouses or storage facilities,” said Caramat.
He said the confiscated items are worth P135 million.
Caramat said 40 to 50 tons of imported agri-products were stored in 23 warehouses in Manila while 250 tons of the said agri-products were stored in a warehouse in Malabon.
"We will be conducting deeper investigation into this to identify the persons behind all of these," said Caramat.