The Bureau of Customs said Thursday it confiscated around P20 million worth of alleged smuggled electronics in an inspection in Bulacan province.
It said in a statement its operatives inspected the warehouse of ECOM Electronics Reconditioning Services at RIS Industrial Complex in Guiguinto, Bulacan. It said the operation found a stash of alleged smuggled Smart television sets and computer system units.
A composite team of personnel from the Customs Intelligence and Investigation Service-Port of Manila, the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group-Philippine National Police, Enforcement and Security Service-Port of Manila, Formal Entry Division-Port of Manila and the Legal Service, RCMG, served the letter of authority signed by Customs Commissioner Bienvenido Rubio.
The LOA was issued based on derogatory information received about the subject warehouse.
Upon inspection, the implementing team discovered assorted televisions of different sizes, machines used for lamination, boxes used for packaging and raw materials for reconditioning and repair.
The estimated value of the goods discovered inside the warehouse is P20 million.
Following the inventory, the implementing team temporarily secured the storage facility with BOC seals and posted 24/7 duty detail at the entrance and exit gates of the warehouse.
Customs authorities said it would require the owners to present importation documents or proof of payment.
If found to be without the proper import documents, the contents of the warehouse may be subject to seizure and forfeiture proceedings for violation of Section 1400 (Misdeclaration in Goods Declaration) in relation to Section 1113 (Property Subject to Seizure and Forfeiture) of Republic Act No. 10863, known as the Customs Modernization and Tariff Act (CMTA).
Rubio said the seizure of the smuggled electronics products marked another successful effort in combating smuggling activities and upholding customs regulations in the country.
“The BOC remains committed to safeguarding the nation’s borders and ensuring compliance with importation laws,” Rubio said.