THE Bureau of Customs seized P4.43-billion worth of suspected smuggled goods in the first five months of the year with fake products accounting for the bulk of its total haul.
Citing preliminary data, Customs Commissioner Rey Leonardo B. Guerrero reported that counterfeit products comprised P1.98 billion of the total seized goods from January to May this year.
In a recent Department of Finance Executive Committee Meeting, Guerrero said the bureau has conducted 478 anti-smuggling operations during the period.
Apart from fake products, the bureau has also confiscated P864.44-million worth of general merchandise, illegally imported tobacco products (P759.89 million), illegal drugs (P373.16 million) and agricultural products (P221.81 million).
Other smuggled goods seized by Customs include cosmetics, personal protective equipment (PPEs) and other medical supplies valued at P54.12 million; firearms (P40.12 million); used clothing (P39.13 million); electronics parts and products (P23.54 million); vehicles and accessories (P23.47 million); alcoholic beverages (P3.91 million); and, wildlife (P3.73 million).
The BOC also seized P45.77 million worth of currency, jewelry, fuel, chemicals and other products from January to May.
The bureau said it also filed about 38 criminal cases with the Department of Justice against 144 respondents suspected of involvement in smuggling activities. The BOC also filed another 23 administrative cases against erring customs brokers before the Professional Regulation Commission.
The BOC has also ordered the closure of 26 customs-bonded warehouses and 40 members of customs common-bonded warehouses , following the completion of its inspection of 391 customs warehouses across the country.
Last year, the BOC seized P10.629 billion worth of smuggled goods, with imported cigarettes and tobacco products making up the bulk.