BOC seizes P104M worth of illegally imported onions, sugar, cigarettes

The Bureau of Customs (BOC) said on Saturday it seized P104 million worth of illegally imported onions, sugar, and cigarettes during a series of inspections at the Manila International Container Port (MICP).

The BOC said the illegally imported goods were seized from eight shipments–five of which came from China, two from Hong Kong, and one from India–and contained undeclared red and white onions, sugar, and cigarettes. It said the shipments arrived between December 29, 2022, and February 10, 2023, and were examined from February 17 to 23, 2023, after the issuance of Alert Orders (AOs) based on the derogatory information received by the Customs Intelligence and Investigation Service-MICP (CIIS-MICP).

“Our intel officers and agents are highly skilled and equipped at detecting the concealment methods for these smuggling activities,” BOC Deputy Commissioner for Intelligence Group Juvymax Uy said. The agency said the three consignees of the shipments would be asked to present the proper permits for the importation of the goods. Charges may also be filed against those responsible for the illegal importation of these products. — VBL, GMA Integrated News