As part of its commitment to strengthen border security and anti-smuggling efforts, the Bureau of Customs (BOC) through its Intelligence Group (IG) and Revenue Collection Monitoring Group (RCMG) reported its accomplishments in combating smuggling of agricultural products in terms of seizure, cases filed, and revoked accreditation from January to September 2021.
BOC-IG recorded a total estimated value of P545.06 million-worth of seized smuggled agricultural products. In terms of value, the following are the top three commodities: (1) rice amounting to P206.80 million (2) onions amounting to P190.48 million, and (3) garlic amounting to P55 million.
On cases filed, data from the Bureau’s Action Team Against Smugglers (BATAS) of the Legal Service show that 14 criminal cases involving 41 individuals and customs brokers were filed before the Department of Justice for the unlawful importation of agricultural products valued at around P85.2 million. In addition, 10 administrative cases before the Professional Regulation Commission were filed against customs brokers involved in the said unlawful acts.
In terms of accreditation, two BOC registered importers were revoked of their accreditation while 23 were suspended due to issuance of Warrant of Seizure and Detention against their shipments of agricultural products.
BOC under the leadership of Commissioner Rey Leonardo B. Guerrero is committed to its fight against the smuggling of agricultural products to protect the country’s borders and the general welfare of the public.(BOC)-rir
