Malacañan said that the Bureau of Customs (BOC) on Saturday, Sept. 23, has so far seized P31.5 billion worth of smuggled goods, the highest in the agency’s history.

(From left) BOC Commissioner Bien Rubio and CIIS Director Verne Enciso (Photo from the Presidential Communications Office)

A statement released by the Presidential Communications Office (PCO) said that items infringing on intellectual property rights topped the list of the agency’s seized goods.

This was followed by agricultural products, cigarettes, and illegal drugs.

PCO quoted BOC-Customs Intelligence and Investigation Service (CIIS) Director Verne Enciso who took pride in the agency’s performance during a media forum in Quezon City.

“Ang (The) bureau, under the leadership of Commissioner Bienvenido Rubio, has already got the highest seizure, in terms of smuggling, nag-resulta na po ito sa P31.5 billion na various commodities, ito po iyong highest ever record po ng Bureau of Customs, considering na hindi pa po tapos ang taon (this resulted to P31.5 billion various commodities, this is the highest ever record of the Bureau of Customs, considering that the year isn’t done),” he explained.

Of the P31.5-billion haul, agricultural products like rice comprised P3.3 billion for this year alone.

Following the directive of President Marcos, the agency continues its inspection of warehouses suspected of hoarding and storing smuggled rice.

Enciso said this recent achievement by the bureau also signified the agency’s commitment to tackling illicit trade across the country as it has even gone beyond their regulatory tightening.

The seizure of smuggled products also ensures fair trade for legitimate business, especially in the agriculture sector, the official stated.

“The first implemented letters of authority that was conducted in seven warehouses in the vicinity or in the area of Bulacan, four warehouses were issued warrant of seizure and detention resulting in the seizure of 236,571 sacks of rice which originated from Vietnam, Thailand and Pakistan. Three warehouses were released to the claimants with the total of 135,365 rice originating from Vietnam and Thailand.”

The BOC also uncovered 36,000 sacks of rice in Tondo, Manila and a total of 20,000 sacks of rice in the areas of Las Piñas and Bacoor, Cavite.

Enciso disclosed that the claimants have been given a 15-day period to provide proof of payment of taxes and other regulatory duties for the imported rice stored in these facilities.