The Bureau of Customs (BOC) estimates that it was able to seize P9.52 billion worth of smuggled goods, mainly tobacco, this year.
In a statement, the BOC said it inspected 151 customs bonded warehouses (CBWs) and 249 members of customs common bonded warehouses (CCBWs) between January 1 and December 4 this year.
Deputy Customs Commissioner Vener S. Baquiran said the BOC has filed 70 criminal cases against 244 suspected smugglers and padlocked 19 CBWs between January and the first week of December this year.
Baquiran said in a report to the Department of Finance that another 40 members of CCBWs were also closed down during the same period.
Of the amount, more than half or P5.05 billion of the smuggled goods were composed of confiscated tobacco products. Other big ticket items were P1.85 billion worth of drugs and P1.02 billion worth of counterfeit items.
The BOC said it seized general merchandise worth P413.89 million; vehicles and automobile accessories, P354.53 million; and agricultural products amounting to P238.49 million.
The agency also confiscated foodstuff amounting P200 million; personal protective equipment (PPEs) and medical supplies and cosmetics, P195.57 million; jewelry and other products, P68.89 million; used clothing, P48.09 million; and, P32.59 million-worth of various types of currency.
The list of seized items included electronics goods worth P31.07 million; chemicals, P5 million; steel products, P4.76 million; alcoholic beverages, P2.43 million; and firearms, P300,000.