By Analou De Vera
The Bureau of Customs (BOC) uncovered and seized P16 million worth of smuggled red onions from China at the Manila International Container Port (MICP), the agency reported Friday.
(Bureau of Customs / MANILA BULLETIN)
The red onions were packed in eight shipping container vans and were misdeclared as fresh apples, Customs Commissioner Isidro Lapeña said.
“The shipment was said to contain 2,500 cartons of fresh apples but upon inspection yesterday, was instead found to contain 20,000 cartons of red onions, estimated to be worth R16 million,” he said.
Lapeña said that the shipment arrived at the MICP on August 14 and was consigned to ASD Total Package Enterprises Inc.
Lapeña said that ASD Total Package Enterprises Inc. shipments were alerted based on its previous smuggling record.
“Earlier this month, six containers vans of ASD declared as apples were seized by MICP for misdeclaration of R12 million worth of onions,” he said.
The customs chief said ASD is misdeclaring onions to evade paying correct duties and taxes.
Appropriate charges will be filed against the owner of ASD Total Package Enterprises Inc and the customs broker who processed the shipment, Michael Miranda Sumile.
(Bureau of Customs / MANILA BULLETIN)
The red onions were packed in eight shipping container vans and were misdeclared as fresh apples, Customs Commissioner Isidro Lapeña said.
“The shipment was said to contain 2,500 cartons of fresh apples but upon inspection yesterday, was instead found to contain 20,000 cartons of red onions, estimated to be worth R16 million,” he said.
Lapeña said that the shipment arrived at the MICP on August 14 and was consigned to ASD Total Package Enterprises Inc.
Lapeña said that ASD Total Package Enterprises Inc. shipments were alerted based on its previous smuggling record.
“Earlier this month, six containers vans of ASD declared as apples were seized by MICP for misdeclaration of R12 million worth of onions,” he said.
The customs chief said ASD is misdeclaring onions to evade paying correct duties and taxes.
Appropriate charges will be filed against the owner of ASD Total Package Enterprises Inc and the customs broker who processed the shipment, Michael Miranda Sumile.