Clark Freeport—A total of 3,520 units of Realme mobile phones and other highly taxable items worth P22.8 million were intercepted by agents of the Bureau of Customs and Clark Development Corporation shortly after the contraband landed at the Clark International Airport on Friday.
The “hot” goods were neatly wrapped in parcels and were sneaked into Clark via an official courier when intercepted by Customs examiners for further check, said BoC Port of Clark District Collector lawyer Ruby Alameda in a statement.
Alameda said the shipment, composed of 88 parcels carrying high-end smartphones and a pair of Nike shoes, were found when further examined. She said the consignee attempted to smuggle the items to avoid the government customs tax and duties by misdeclaring its real content.
CDC President and CEO General Manuel Gaerlan, who was present during the unwrapping of the parcels, lauded the BoC Port of Clark for its vigilance against suspected smugglers operating at Clark International Airport.
"The government almost lost P2.8 million in terms of Customs tax and duties if these items were not intercepted," said Gaerlan.
The seizure of the hot items only shows that CDC and BoC continuously support and strengthen the government’s thrust against illicit trade in the country, he added.
On March 4, the BOC Port of Clark issued an alert order regarding the shipment.
Alameda issued a warrant of seizure and detention of the smuggled items, which were unwrapped in the presence of the consignee, Omega Six Global Corporation, with a business address in Iloilo City.
She said the goods were initially declared as computer casings with window, 16" screen protector, and multipurpose mini-UPS battery back-up with lithium-ion batteries.
Alameda said the consignee will be facing charges for violating the Customs and Tariff Modernization Act.