(Eagle News) — The Bureau of Customs has seized P4.5 million worth of smuggled onions from China.
In a statement on Monday, June 11, BOC Commissioner Isidro Lapena said the three-footer containers that held the onions arrived on May 22 and were confiscated after an X-ray scan by the X-ray Inspection Project.
The BOC said the shipment was consigned to Precious Prince Enterprises supposedly located on 15320-B Street corner Michael Street, San Agustin Village, Moonwalk, Parañaque City.
The broker was Reymund Ledesma Cigaraya.
“Scanned image showed other items that do not correspond to the declaration which are mugs, saucer, and decors,” Lapena said.
According to the BOC, XIP Chief Atty. Zsae Carrie de Guzman recommended the issuance of an alert order, which District Collector Atty. Erastus Sandino Austria issued to prevent the release of the smuggled goods from Customs’ custody.
“A warrant for seizure and detention will be issued against the P4.5-million worth shipment for violating Section 1400 in relation to Sections 1113 and 1401 of the Customs Modernization Tariff Act,” Lapena said.
Charges will be filed against the importer and the Customs broker, Lapena added.