Customs seizes P545 million smuggled goods in Q3

MANILA, Philippines — The Bureau of Customs  confiscated more than P545 million worth of smuggled crops as of end-September, as well as filed cases against dozens of importers and brokers as part of efforts to improve border security.

The BOC seized a total of P545.06 million in agricultural products, mostly rice, onion and garlic, from   operations it conducted from January to September.

Only three commodities accounted for nearly 83 percent of the value at P452.28 million, namely, rice (P206.8 million), onion (P190.48 million) and garlic (P55 million).

The BOC filed 14 lawsuits before the Department of Justice in a bid to punish 41 individuals involved in the smuggling of farm goods. The agency said these importers and brokers tried to smuggled P85.2 million worth  of agricultural products into the domestic market.

https://www.philstar.com/business/2021/10/16/2134589/customs-seizes-p545-million-smuggled-goods-q3