BOC registers first major bust for 2021

THE Bureau of Customs (BOC) started its anti-smuggling campaign for 2021 on a high note, seizing smuggled bogus branded products worth P100 million in Manila and preventing the entry of ‘liquid marijuana’ at the country’s premier airport, the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA).

Backed by a “LOA” (letter of authority) from Comm. Rey Leonardo Guerrero, elements from the Intelligence Group’s intelligence and investigation service (IG-CIIS) from the Manila International Container Port (MICP) headed by Alvin Enciso, swooped down at a storage facility in Tondo, Manila, last January 25, 2021, were they found fake signature brands worth P100 million.

Deputy commissioner for intelligence (DCI) Raniel Ramiro, said the operation, in coordination with the Philippine Coast Guard, the Customs Police (ESS) the National Bureau of Investigation and witnessed by village officials, resulted to the discovery of hundreds of boxes of fake ‘Louis Vuitton,’ ‘Gucci’ and ‘Channel’ bags.

Boxes of unregistered face shields, facemasks, medicines and soaps were also confiscated by the raiding team.

Ramiro added the release of the incident report to the media was delayed in order to give way to the proper inventory of the confiscated goods.

He added that they are still trying to establish the identities of those behind the smuggling attempt for the filing of appropriate charges.

At the NAIA, district collector, Carmelita ‘Mimel’ Talusan, reported to Guerrero the apprehension of 20 packages of “liquid marijuana” totaling 116 bottles at the Central Mail Exchange Center (CMEC) in Pasay City.

Talusan said the shipment was declared as “dietary supplements” in an effort to evade detection by customs authorities.

The official declined to name the recipients of the illegal drugs, merely saying they consisted of “different consignees.”

Talusan said they have already turned over the bottled marijuana to the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) for custody and further investigation.

More smugglers charged

Meanwhile, the number of suspected smugglers charged before the Department of Justice (DOJ) under Guerrero had jumped to 112, with the filing last week of smuggling charges against three importers.

Atty. Vener Bauiran, deputy commissioner for revenue collection and monitoring (RCMG) and in charge of the bureau’s ‘BATAS’ project ( BOC Action Team Against Smugglers), said the first case involves ‘Akiza One Six Eight Eight Eight Trading’ for alleged unlawful importation and misdeclaration of 100 sacks of used clothing, 450 sacks and 150 cartons of mixed fabrics and swatches, which arrived at the MICP on October 25, 2020.

According to BATAS, the consignee declared its shipment as “used surplus furniture and kitchenware.”

‘Summer Beast Enterprises Co.,’ for its part, was also found to have illegally imported 539 bales of used clothing and other goods such as inkjet glossy paper, yoga mat, wearing apparel, phone holder, various foodstuffs, air purifier, various cellphone accessories, cellphones, USB, vape, medicines, medical supplies, personal effects, and antennas.

Baquiran said the incident also happened at the MICP last October 19, 2020.

The third case involves ‘GT Enterprise,’ which tried to illegally import 9,102 cartons of ‘Banma’ mosquito coils and 218 cartons of kitchen and dinner wares in 5 shipments and declared as “ceramic kitchen wares.”

The official said the smuggling attempt was foiled at the Port of Cagayan de Oro last August 19, 2020.