photo: CIDG

Police arrested four foreigners after they yielded around P1.7 million worth of smuggled onions during an operation in Mexico, Pampanga over the weekend.

Police Maj. Gen. Nicolas Torre III, director of the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG), said the operation stemmed from reports of possible agricultural smuggling using a trailer truck that will pass Mexico town.

CIDG operatives were then sent to the area and spotted two trucks loaded with a 40-foot container van in Barangay Laug on Saturday, April 26.

During a check, police confirmed the smuggling activity after the container van yielded white onions instead of the Japanese chicken strips stated on the importation documents.

Torre said the white onions were imported from China.

“Upon inspection, it was found out that the products are white onions, the suspects allegedly misdeclared the onions as chicken karaage strips to evade the payment of correct taxes and duties due the government,” said Torre.

The white onions, with an estimated value of P1.7 million, were confiscated along with the trucks.

Torre said the four Chinese were taken to the CIDG office in Pampanga and now facing charges of violation of Section 7 paragraph (c) and (e) of RA 12022 (Anti-Agricultural Sabotage Act) in relation to RA 10845 (Anti-Agricultural Smuggling Act of 2016) for use of fraudulent import and shipping documents and tax evasion through misclassification, misdeclaration or undervaluation of imported goods.

“This operation is part of the national government’s efforts to protect farmers and fisherfolk from unscrupulous traders and importers, and ensure reasonable and affordable prices of agricultural and fishery products for consumers,” said Torre.

“Our aggressive operations prevent smuggling of agricultural and fishery products, which negatively affects supply, production, and price stability of agricultural products and threatens food security,” he added.