The Bureau of Customs-Manila International Container Port (BOC-MICP) has seized five shipments of agricultural commodities from China estimated to be worth P24 million as the government intensified anew its anti-smuggling operations.
In a news statement issued on Thursday, the BOC said that the five shipments arrived at the MICP last month with corresponding alert orders after examinations conducted by BOC officers revealed that there are discrepancies in the weight and declared value of the shipments.
After the inspection, it was found that the shipments were declared as apples, oranges and pears, along with carrots, onions and potatoes.
Four of the five shipments were consigned to Ingredient Management Asia Inc., and one to Mcrey International Trading.
“The brokers on file for Mcrey’s shipment is Ronilo Barcellano, for Ingredient Management is Anthony Sandique,” the MICP said.
The seized carrots were estimated to be worth P15 million, the onions at P4 million, and the potatoes valued at P5 million.
The seized goods will be condemned by the BOC since these were not covered by any Phytosanitary permit from the Bureau of Plant Quarantine. Agricultural items not covered by these permits may carry plant diseases and pests that can affect the local
agriculture.