P36 million smuggled onions seized from ‘repeat offenders’

On Aug 12, 2022

Throwback. Officials of the Bureau of Customs-Port of Cagayan de Oro headed by its district collector, Atty. Elvira Cruz, and Manuel Barradas, Supervising Agriculturist of the Bureau of Plant Industry, witnessed the examination of 12 containers of onions from China worth P36 million and misdeclared as “Spring Roll Patti” and “Plain Churros” on August 11, 2022, at the Mindanao International Container Terminal Port in Tagoloan, Misamis Oriental. The consignees, Frankie Trading Enterprises and Primex Export and Import Producer, have been previously apprehended also for agricultural smuggling (photo credit: BOC-PIAD).

THE Bureau of Customs (BOC) last August 11, 2022, intercepted 12 containers of smuggled agricultural products from China worth some P36 million at Mindanao International Container Terminal (MCT), subport of Cagayan de Oro, brought by two consignees that have been previously apprehended also for agricultural smuggling.

Atty. Elvira Cruz, CdO port collector, in a report to Commissioner Yogi Filemon Ruiz, identified the repeat offenders as ‘Frankie Trading Enterprises’ and ‘Primex Export and Import Producer.’

Both companies tried, but again failed, to divert the BOC’s attention by declaring their shipments as ‘spring roll patti’ and ‘plain churros,’ Cruz added.

It would be the second time that Frankie Trading was caught while trying to bring in smuggled onions since its first apprehension last July 22, 2022, together with Primex at the MCT.

On the other hand, it would be the fourth time that Primex has been caught trying to bring in smuggled onions since its first apprehension last July 7, 2022 also at the MCT (see also Pinoy Exposé, July 23, 2022).

Cruz also informed Ruiz that joining him in witnessing the latest actual inspection of the shipment are, lawyer Marrieta Zamoranos, MCT Sub-port Collector; Pangandaman Casan, assessment chief, MCT; Melchor Rabo, asst. assessment chief, MCT; Adriano Lamata, asst. chief, CIIS-CDO; SP/Lt. Arkhan Macaombang, deputy district commander, ESS-CDO; Manuel Barradas, Bureau of Plant Industry; Ronie Gutang, MICTSI; and Raymundo Maquiling Jr., CCBI.