Raps filed versus onion smugglers

MICP seizes 4 luxury yachts worth P120 million

On Aug 23, 2021

A prosecutor from the BOC Action Team Against Smugglers (BATAS), an office under RCMG deputy commissioner, Atty. Vener Baquiran, is seen swearing as to the veracity of the complaints BATAS filed at the Department of Justice against suspected onion smugglers (photo credit: BOC-PIAD).

‘SMUGGLE’ at your own risk.

This remains the continuing message of the Bureau of Customs (BOC) under Comm. Rey Leonardo Guerrero against smuggling syndicates after the filing of three new separate smuggling cases before the Department of Justice (DOJ) involving three foiled smuggling attempts of red onions at the Port of Subic and the Port of Davao with an aggregate cost of more than P29.3 million.

In a statement, the BOC Action Team Against Smugglers (BATAS) said that appropriate smuggling charges have been filed against the registered owners and customs brokers respectively of ‘Thousand Sunny Enterprise,’ ‘Duar Te Mira Non-Specialized Wholesale Trading’ and, ‘CBJ Consumer Goods Trading’ whose illegal shipments were all apprehended by the two ports last month.

BATAS is under the supervision of the Revenue Collection and Monitoring Group (RCMG) under deputy commissioner, Atty. Vener Baquiran.

Thousand Sunny Enterprise was accosted at the Port of Subic on two occasions, on July 1, 2021 and July 6, 2021, for trying to sneak-in P7.297 million worth of red onions.

Undeterred, Duar Te Mira also tried to bring in more than P20.217 million worth of red onions declared as “chapatti bread” from China on July 9, 2021 and July 13, 2021, but was also apprehended by alert port officials led by district collector Maritess Martin (see also Pinoy Exposé issue last August 2, 2021).

At the Port of Davao, customs officials headed by Collector Dino Austria busted the attempt of CBJ Consumer to also bring in 2,500 bags of red onions amounting to P1.72 million.

P120-million yachts seized

At the Manila International Container Port (MICP), district collector, Romeo Allan Rosales, announced on Monday, August 23, 2021, the seizure of four yachts regularly moored at the port for violation of customs laws.

Rosales placed the value of seized vessels at around P120 million.

Pleasure cruise, anyone? The four private yachts moored near the Manila International Container Port (MIC) with an aggregate value of P120 million and which were ordered seized by MICP district collector Romeo Allan Rosales after being found to be in violation of the country’s customs and maritime laws (photo credit: BOC-PIAD).

The vessels were identified as the ‘Le Boss’ (approx. 70 footer), ‘Yuzhen8’ (approx. 55 footer), ‘Yua Hal Ming Zhu’ (approx. 110 footer, and, ‘Gu Cheng Gang Guan’ (approx. 59 footer).

MICP intelligence chief, Alvin Enciso said that aside from being conspicuous, their attention was drawn to the vessels after learning these are being used not only for transport services but for other commercial purpose such as for pleasure cruise and as private party venues.

On inspection of documents, it was found out that the yachts have no “conversion permit” for local use and their payment of taxes and duties are also questionable.

Rosales stressed that water vessels must be imported in accordance to Philippine customs laws and must be registered to Philippine authorities such as the Maritime Industry Authority (Marina).

No decision has yet been reached on the final disposition of the vessels.