Customs agents have seized shipments of frozen pork meat, chicken thighs and wings, pork spareribs, and Peking ducks worth P124-million reportedly smuggled into the Philippines from China.
Agents of the Manila International Container Port-Customs Intelligence and Investigation Service (MICP-CISS) intercepted the cargo consigned to Daniry Consumer Goods Trading and Jeroce Consumer Goods Trading.
Daniry had P75 million worth of agricultural products in its containers, while Jeroce Consumer Goods Trading had P49 million worth of consignment.
Customs Deputy Commissioner for Intelligence Raniel Ramiro said both consignees will face appropriate legal sanctions and cases, citing the shipments contain frozen poultry products, which were not in the original declaration.
Daniry declared its shipment for hotpot balls, while Jeroce Consumer Goods Trading said its shipment contained steamed buns.
“Derogatory Information received by Intelligence Group and CIIS that above-mentioned shipments were suspected to contain misdeclared agricultural products,” said CIIS director Jeoffrey Tacio.
He added the shipments were placed under 100 percent examination on June 21 and 23 when they discovered the undeclared food products.
MICP District Collector Romy Allan Rosales has issued the corresponding warrant of seizure and detention, and ordered the filing of anti-smuggling cases against the importers in violation of Section 1400 (misdeclaration) in relation to Section 1113 of the Customs odernization and Tariff Act and other related laws and regulations.
Last week, the MICP-CIIS men also seized two smuggled shipments of carrots worth P4 million, also from China.
The current Bureau of Customs leadership assured that the agency’s anti-smuggling operations will continue in the incoming administration.