BOC files 166 criminal, admin cases against importers, customs brokers in 2021

In pursuit of transparency and border security, the Revenue Collection Monitoring Group (RCMG), through the Bureau’s Action Team Against Smugglers (BATAS) of the Legal Service, intensified its action against erring importers and customs brokers who violated customs laws, rules, and regulations.

The anti-smuggling efforts of the Bureau of Customs (BOC) in coordination with other government agencies resulted in the filing of a total of 103 criminal cases from January to December 2021 against 309 individuals composed of importers and customs brokers for violations of the Republic Act No. 10863, also known as the Customs Modernization and Tariff Act (CMTA) and other pertinent laws.

Similarly, 63 administrative cases were filed against licensed customs brokers before the Professional Regulation Commission (PRC).  

Data from BATAS also show that among the cases involved the unlawful importation of cigarettes valued at P897.1 million; agricultural products valued at P293.9 million; general merchandise amounting to almost P253.2 million; medicines valued at P57.1 million; motor vehicles valued at P49.1 million; and other commodities valued at P63.1 million.

Further, criminal cases due to unlawful removal and disarming of electronic Customs seals were also filed against erring individuals.      

The BOC remains committed to continuing the fight against smuggling by filing the appropriate cases against unscrupulous individuals. (BOC) -rir

Popular

PBBM: No ‘political advantage’ behind disclosure of flood control mess in SONA 2025

By Dean Aubrey Caratiquet In the fifth episode of the BBM Podcast aired on Monday, President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. shared his insights on the...

PBBM touts education as the key towards national, social progress

By Dean Aubrey Caratiquet “Every project, every policy, every program, every peso must move the needle for Filipino families.” Halfway through his term as the country’s...

On Teachers’ Month, DepEd notes good news for teachers

By Brian Campued As the Philippines joins the global community in honoring the invaluable contributions of teachers in shaping the next generation’s leaders and professionals,...

Phivolcs identifies fault that caused magnitude 6.9 Cebu quake

By Brian Campued State seismologists have located the source of the powerful offshore earthquake that jolted northern Cebu and the rest of Visayas on Sept....