The Bureau of Customs (BOC) has announced the seizure of six 40-footer containers loaded with smuggled onions from China worth at least P12 million.
Customs Commissioner Isidro S. Lapeña has reiterated his warning to unscrupulous traders that the BOC will be unrelenting in its drive to curb smuggling into the country’s ports.
“I have already ordered for the revocation of the accreditation of the consignee and the Customs broker involved. Again, I am warning all unscrupulous traders, stop your smuggling attempts. I will definitely catch up with you,” Lapeña said.
The X-ray Inspection Project-Manila International Container Port (XIP-MICP) field office, which enforced the apprehension of the containers, said the smuggled shipment came from China and declared as fresh apples that arrived at the MICP on August 14. The containers were consigned to ASD Total Packages Enterprises Inc.
Lapeña said that the XIP office, after receiving a tip, recommended for the issuance of the alert order to the Office of the District Collector-MICP.
Upon inspection, it was found that each container is loaded with two layers of cartons of apples at the front but filled with bags of onions inside.
The owner of ASD Total Packages Enterprises Inc. and the Customs broker, Michael Miranda Sumile who processed the shipment, will face criminal charges for violating the Customs Modernization and Tariff Act and will also face charges for violating Republic Act 10845 also known as Anti-Agricultural Smuggling Act of 2016.
Earlier, the BOC reported that under the leadership of Lapeña around 54 cases has been filed by the Bureaus Action Team Against Smugglers at the Department of Justice involving 117 personalities in line with smuggling.