By Ely Dumaboc/ PNA
ZAMBOANGA CITY — The Bureau of Customs (BOC) said it has stepped up its campaign against smuggling of imported goods coming from Malaysia through the provinces of Basilan, Sulu, and Tawi-Tawi (BaSulTa).
Customs District Collector Segundo Barte Jr. said Wednesday a composite team will conduct daily inspections of vessels upon their arrival at the local port coming from Malaysia and the BaSulTa area.
“I personally lead the team in the early morning inspection of passenger and cargo vessels that arrive here from Sulu and Tawi-Tawi for the possible presence of smuggled goods, such as rice and sugar, including cigarettes,” Barte said.
The composite team consists of personnel from the BOC police, Task Force Zamboanga, and the Philippine Coast Guard.
Barte said the on-board inspection is one way of eliminating the transport of imported goods by smugglers using the local port to this city.
“I talked with the boat captains serving the BaSulTa and Malaysia routes and informed them that their vessel can be detained and they will be slapped with fines should they allow the loading into their vessel (of) smuggled imported goods, particularly sugar and cigarettes,” he said.
Barte said the strengthened campaign against smuggling is in compliance with the directive of Customs Commission Rey Leonardo Guerrero.
Earlier, Barte ordered the destruction of 142 cases of imported cigarettes worth PHP4,409,000 million, which they confiscated from a commercial vessel that arrived here from Jolo, Sulu.
