THE Bureau of Customs (BOC) on Sunday announced the successful seizure of an estimated P85 million worth of smuggled frozen agricultural and beverage products from a warehouse in Parañaque City.
The operation, conducted by the Customs Intelligence and Investigation Service-Manila International Container Port (CIIS-MICP), followed a Letter of Authority (LOA) issued by BOC Commissioner Bienvenido Rubio on September 5.
Upon serving the LOA, CIIS-MICP operatives discovered a large cache of poultry, meat, and other food items suspected to be imported from China without proper customs duties and taxes. The haul included frozen duck meat, chicken meat, pork meat, and assorted food and beverage products bearing Chinese and foreign markings.
Commissioner Rubio expressed his outrage at the audacity of the smugglers, stating, “The audacity of these people to smuggle and hide agricultural products right in the heart of Metro Manila is beyond me. They belittle our laws and make a mockery of our hardworking Customs agents by thinking they can operate these illegal activities just a few kilometers from our port.”
BOC-CIIS Director Verne Enciso revealed that the initial inventory estimated the market value of the seized poultry products at P85 million. However, the final cost will be determined after a thorough examination by BOC examiners.
This latest seizure highlights the ongoing battle against smuggling activities in the country. The BOC remains committed to enforcing customs laws and protecting the Philippine market from illegal imports.
metrosundaily
