(Eagle News)–The Bureau of Customs has seized P53 million worth of misdeclared agricultural products at the Port of Manila.
In a statement, the BOC said the products, which were housed in 16 containers, arrived at Port 3 on Aug. 8, and had been declared by consignee Shinerise Trading Service as fishballs with a total declared duties and taxes of P2,542,882.00.
Upon inspection, though, Customs examiners found the shipment contained an estimated P20.080 million worth of carrots, P20.080 million worth of onions, P10.040 million worth of broccoli and P2.510 worth of potatoes.
The goods were alerted on Aug. 14 and a warrant of seizure and detention was issued by Customs collector Arsenia Ilagan on Sept. 4.
Ilagan said that she has already ordered the cancelation of the consignee’s accreditation, while the Customs broker, Johnna Philipian Cristobal Aceveda, is under investigation.
On Aug. 8, the BOC seized P24 million worth of misdeclared shipments of carrots, onions and potatoes at the Manila International Container Port.
On Aug. 19, the BoC seized P665,000 worth of smuggled rice from the Port of Zamboanga.