OPERATIVES of the Bureau of Customs (BOC) seized 11 40-footer container vans stacked with more than P20 million worth of smuggled goods at the Port of Manila.
Two trading companies and an individual trader stand to lose a fortune and even face legal sanctions for smuggling the goods.
Customs Commissioner Rozzano Rufino Biazon said the diligent efforts of Customs Intelligence and Investigation Service (CIIS) operatives, led by CIIS Special Operations Head and concurrent Assistant Chief of the Intelligence Division Eric G. Albano, have resulted in the apprehension of 11 containers of illegally declared shipments over a period of two weeks, this month.
Importer Christina Bitanga McCain may lose about P12 million when her one 40-footer container loaded with one unit Aprilia motorcycle, two units motor vehicles, a Hummer, and a Chrysler 300C were confiscated for violation of the Tariffs and Customs Code of the Philippines (TCCP).
Trading company Japan Home Inc. could lose P2.1 million when its 1,834 boxes of cosmetics stacked in one 40-footer container was confiscated also for violation of the TCCP.
On the other hand, RMG Trading 99, could lose P6.1 million when its nine containers of various cargoes like green peas, U-bolts, used shoes and bags, among others were apprehended for using fictitious names as its consignees.
“One way to stop smuggling is to drain the smugglers’ resources. And we can do this by apprehending and confiscating their illegally imported goods,” Biazon said, adding that, “With their resources drained, nobody can replace a jailed smuggler even if they still want to continue with their operations.”
For his part, Deputy Commissioner Danilo Lim expressed confidence that the renewed vigor and enthusiasm of his operatives will result in more seizures to come. “We have closed ranks to come up with a more intensified surveillance and detection program of shipments. Thus, we expect more apprehensions in the coming days,” Lim said.
In explaining the details of the operation, Albano said, the 11 suspicious containers were detected through their careful and diligent verification and validation of their entries. “By careful verification of value declarations and names and addresses of consignees, we are able to detect possible misdeclaration or undervaluation of shipments,” Albano pointed out.
CIIS Assistant Head for Special Operations Mitchelle Verdeflor complemented Albano’s statement, saying that regardless of where entries werer filed, whether be it in Cebu, Davao or in any other BOC port, the CIIS Special Operations can easily detect discrepancies in their entries through their proper and diligent monitoring.
Biazon congratulated Lim and his team, even as he reiterated his warning to smugglers that they are slowly catching up with their illegal activities.
“Let this be a warning to all those doing illegal activities at the bureau, your days are numbered. We are slowly closing in on you.” Biazon said.
