Agents of the intelligence and investigation service of the Bureau of Customs (BOC) at the Manila International Container Port (MIC) seized around P120 million worth of poultry and seafood products believed to have been smuggled into the country in a series of raids on warehouses in Navota City.
BOC Commissioner Bienvenido Rubio said the operations on Friday, March 17, were based on the confirmed intelligence reports from the Customs Intelligence and Investigation Service (CIIS)- MICP about smuggled agriculture products being stored in some warehouses in the area.
Agents from the Customs Intelligence and Investigation Service at the Manila International Container Port (CIIS-MICP) inspect boxes of smuggled frozen agricultural products found in seven warehouses in Navotas City after a series of raids on Friday, March 17, 2023. (photo: BOC)
Rubio said he immediately signed Letter of Authorities that paved the way for the operations of the CIIS-MICP agents who were backed by personnel from the Department of Agriculture-Inspectorate and Enforcement Office (DA-IE), National Meat Inspection Service (NMIS), and the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG).
CIIS-MICP chief Alvin Enciso, who led the implementation of the LOAs, said they found various poultry products, such as frozen pork legs, chicken drumsticks, pork spareribs, squid rings, crayfish, pork ears, pork hinges, balone, brawley beef, pork aorta, chicken feet, pork riblets, golden pampano, pangasius fillet, boneless pork ham, fish tofu, and pork ears.
“While most of the frozen seafood were from China, there were also beef from Brazil and Australia, pork from the United States, and pork ears from Russia,” said Enciso.
He said they also found an empty warehouse that was purposely made to become a cold storage facility.
Rubio lauded the team’s work on the swift action taken.
“This is outstanding work by our law enforcement officers and our bureau personnel. I understand how much effort and commitment it takes to inspect all of these warehouses in just one day. It also goes to show how important proper coordination is among government agencies because these operations won’t be possible without it,” he said.
photo: BOC
Rubio also recognized the efforts of DA Assistant Secretary James Layug, Navotas City Lone District Representative Toby Tiangco, and personnel from Business Permit and Licensing Office (BPLO), who accompanied the BOC agents in presenting copies of the LOA to the warehouse representatives.
After the representatives acknowledged the LOA, the team inspected the warehouses where they found the alleged smuggled goods.
They then proceeded to temporarily padlock and seal the warehouses, including the empty storage facility, the keys of which were turned over to the barangay officials present during the inspection.
The inventory of the goods will be conducted by the assigned Customs examiner, and would be witnessed by agents from the CIIS and Enforcement and Security Service (ESS).
The owners of the goods would be asked to present importation documents or proof of payment by the Customs authorities.
If found without proper documents, the corresponding seizure and forfeiture proceedings will be conducted against the subject shipments for violation of Sec. 1400 (misdeclaration in goods declaration) in relation to Sec. 1113 (property subject to seizure and forfeiture) of Republic Act No. 10863 known as the Customs Modernization and Tariff Act (CMTA).
Following the successful operations, Deputy Commissioner for Intelligence Group Juvymax Uy underscored how border protection stopped the economic impact of smuggled products entering into Philippine markets.
“Our officers have once more shown their diligence to target, detect, and intercept potential threats to our people’s economic activities. This is just one of the ways the bureau protects the public—by keeping these products away from consumers and thus safeguarding the livelihoods of those who go through the proper legal process of bringing in imported goods,” said Uy.