The Bureau of Customs has seized four ships worth P200 million which illegally entered the country in Cagayan province and were being used to smuggle magnetic black sands in Appari.
In a statement, Customs Commissioner Nicanor Faeldon said the operator of the ships failed to present documents to show that duties and taxes had been paid by its owners.
The seized foreign vessels were allegedly smuggled into the country and are operating in Aparri, a riverside municipality in Cagayan.
The bureau’s Special Studies and Project Development Committee, with the help of barangay officials, first discovered the m/v Nova 1 at the Parradun Sur Quarry Site in Aparri.
The vessel was reportedly involved in the illegal quarrying of magnetic black sand along the Cagayan River.
The three other vessels—m/v Vela 1, m/v Vela 3 and Monte Cristo II—which were apparently used for the same purposes were found at the Hua Xia/Pine Sand compound in Barangay Tallungan, also in Aparri.
“This latest seizure only points to the unyielding efforts of the BoC to put a stop to smuggling and other illicit trade activities, whether by land or sea,” Faeldon said.
He said the seizure will serve as a strong warning to those in the business of importing vessels illegally, adding the BoC will remain even more vigorous in its mission to run after violators.