On January 16, the Bureau of Customs (BOC) in Manila intercepted smuggled fruits and vegetables from China, estimated to be worth P5 million. The operation followed complaints from Benguet traders, whose sales had been negatively impacted by the influx of smuggled produce.
BOC Commissioner Bienvenido Rubio reiterated the government’s commitment to protect local farmers and ensure fair market competition. He assured that the government is actively pursuing these smuggling groups and is diligent in prosecuting them. The Customs Intelligence and Investigation Service (CIIS) at the Manila International Container Port, in cooperation with the National Bureau of Investigation - Anti-Organized and Transnational Crime Division (NBI-AOTCD), inspected three warehouses in Manila.
CIIS director Verne Enciso reported that the team found fresh imported broccoli worth approximately P2 million in the San Nicolas warehouse. A warehouse in Binondo, owned by WSH Trading, contained various imported fruits and vegetables worth around P2 million. Another warehouse in Binondo yielded produce worth an estimated P1 million.
Enciso stated that a thorough inventory and inspection of the goods would be conducted to determine the exact value and file appropriate cases against the warehouse owners and individuals involved in the smuggling activities.
[ P 10 = €0.16 ]
Source: manilastandard.net