P5-M overpriced PPEs, alcohol seized in Binondo
Published Mar 27, 2020 12:00 am
By Betheena Unite
Overpriced essential medical supplies worth P5 million were uncovered in a store in San Nicolas, Binondo, Manila Thursday, the Bureau of Customs said.
(BOC / MANILA BULLETIN)
Several packs of face masks, gloves, goggles, alcohol, thermal scanners, test tubes, and syringes were found in the store which was initially reported by concerned citizens for selling medical items way higher than the suggested retail price.
Armed with a letter of authority (LOA), Customs intelligence agents and men from the Philippine Coast Guard, trooped to the store to search the establishment but the owners “were not around during the raid as the team was only assisted by the building administrator and store personnel.”
It was verified that the establishment has been undergoing renovation and only operating through online transactions. Further investigation showed that the store’s online operations charge online buyers with unreasonably high prices or almost four times the suggested retail price.
The owners have 15 days to present importation documents to prove that the seized items were legally procured and if not, they shall face charges for smuggling in violation of the Customs Modernization and Tariff Act (CMTA).
“The recent apprehension demonstrates the relentless campaign of BOC to curb smuggling despite the health risk due to COVID-19 pandemic., the bureau said in a statement. “It also sends a strong message and stern warning to smugglers and unscrupulous businessmen who continue to take advantage of the COVID-19 pandemic and the shortage of PPEs and medical supplies.”
The bureau earlier expressed fear that smugglers might take advantage of the current national health emergency.
Smugglers could use as decoy the shipments of personal protective gears and other medical supplies in smuggling their contrabands to the country if the bureau agrees on letting such shipments go without proper examination.
Without proper examination on shipments declared as personal protective equipment (PPEs), medical supplies, and basic necessities, smugglers would find another way to dupe the government and bring in their contrabands to the country, Assistant Commissioner Vincent Maronilla said.
(BOC / MANILA BULLETIN)
Several packs of face masks, gloves, goggles, alcohol, thermal scanners, test tubes, and syringes were found in the store which was initially reported by concerned citizens for selling medical items way higher than the suggested retail price.
Armed with a letter of authority (LOA), Customs intelligence agents and men from the Philippine Coast Guard, trooped to the store to search the establishment but the owners “were not around during the raid as the team was only assisted by the building administrator and store personnel.”
It was verified that the establishment has been undergoing renovation and only operating through online transactions. Further investigation showed that the store’s online operations charge online buyers with unreasonably high prices or almost four times the suggested retail price.
The owners have 15 days to present importation documents to prove that the seized items were legally procured and if not, they shall face charges for smuggling in violation of the Customs Modernization and Tariff Act (CMTA).
“The recent apprehension demonstrates the relentless campaign of BOC to curb smuggling despite the health risk due to COVID-19 pandemic., the bureau said in a statement. “It also sends a strong message and stern warning to smugglers and unscrupulous businessmen who continue to take advantage of the COVID-19 pandemic and the shortage of PPEs and medical supplies.”
The bureau earlier expressed fear that smugglers might take advantage of the current national health emergency.
Smugglers could use as decoy the shipments of personal protective gears and other medical supplies in smuggling their contrabands to the country if the bureau agrees on letting such shipments go without proper examination.
Without proper examination on shipments declared as personal protective equipment (PPEs), medical supplies, and basic necessities, smugglers would find another way to dupe the government and bring in their contrabands to the country, Assistant Commissioner Vincent Maronilla said.