BOC, AFP, bust P1.5 billion smuggled goods in Valenzuela

57 ‘smugglers,’ cohorts charged before DOJ in first half of 2022

On Jul 18, 2022

Surrounded by bales of suspected smuggled goods, Alvin Enciso, Manila International Container Port (MICP) Intelligence chief, while inspecting some of the counterfeit products worth over P1.5 billion inside a warehouse in Valenzuela City, last July 13, 2022. The successful operation is one of the biggest accomplishments thus far this year by the BOC in terms of value (photo credit: BOC-PIAD).

THE Bureau of Customs (BOC), jointly with elements from the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP), scored another major victory against smuggled goods with the seizure of more than P1.5 billion of fake consumer products during an operation at a warehouse in Valenzuela City last July 13, 2022.

Manila International Container Port (MICP) intelligence chief, Alvin Enciso, in his initial report to Customs Intelligence and Investigation Service (CIIS) Director Jeofrrey Tacio and Intelligence Group Deputy Commissioner Raniel Ramiro, said suspected counterfeit products bearing the brands of Christian Dior, Gucci, Michael Kors, Coach, Guess, Nike, Adidas, Hello Kitty, and Jordan, and soaps bearing the brands of Cetaphil, Safeguard, Nivea, Johnsons Liquid Soap, among others, were found by the operating team composed of elements from the CIIS the Customs Police (ESS) and the AFP.

“A ‘hidden storage facility’ of raw materials of cigarettes such as tobacco filler and filter rods have also been found inside the warehouse,” Enciso added.

He added the operation was carried out on the basis of a ‘LOA’ (Letter of Authority) signed by Comm. Rey Leonardo Guerrero.

Also discovered at the premises were imported construction materials, housewares, kitchenware, household appliances, and consumer electronics lighting products,’ Enciso noted further.

The warehouse was temporarily padlocked and sealed by the operating team, pending the result of a comprehensive inventory, while an ‘WSD’ (warrant of seizure and detention) has also been requested to formalize the forfeiture of the discovered goods in favor of the government.

57 ‘smugglers,’ cohorts, sued

Meanwhile, the Bureau’s ‘Action Team Against Smugglers’ (BATAS) announced it has filed criminal and administrative cases against 57 “erring” traders and customs brokers before the Department of Justice (DOJ) in the first half of 2022 for violation of the country’s anti-smuggling laws under the provisions of RA 10863, otherwise known as ‘Customs Modernization and Tariff Act’ (CMTA).

BATAS is an important anti-smuggling arm of the bureau under the Revenue Collection and Monitoring Group (RCMG) headed by Deputy Commissioner Atty. Vener Baquiran.

Broken down, the complaints involved 46 specific criminal cases involving 145 individuals consisting of importers, exporters and licensed customs’ brokers; a separate 11 administrative cases against the brokers were filed before the Professional Regulation Commission (PRC) for the cancellation of their respective customs brokers’ license.

Data from BATAS show that the cases involved the unlawful importation and exportation of cigarettes valued at P250.6 million; agricultural products valued at P163.3 million; electronic devices valued at P137.9 million; general merchandise amounting to P77.3 million; motor vehicles valued at P49.4 million; used clothing valued at P23.1 million; and, other commodities valued at P18.4 million.