P10-M worth smuggled red onions seized

By Alec Go 

The Bureau of Customs (BOC) reported Tuesday (July 20) the capture of P10-million worth of illegally imported red onions declared as white onions from China on July 17 (Saturday).

The BOC said the onions were found by the Customs Intelligence and Investigation Service (CIIS) at the Manila International Container Port (BOC-MICP). 

District Collector Romeo Allan Rosales issued an alert order (AO) subjecting the shipment to complete examination, the result of which confirmed the shipment of the misdeclared agricultural product.

A Warrant of Seizure and Detention (WSD) was then issued against the shipment of the two containers consigned to Flevo Trading.

Rosales said they will continue to check for permits and proper declaration of legal products for importation, noting that red onion smuggling has taken a toll on local industries.

The BOC seized on June 28 another shipment of P10-million worth of smuggled onions consigned to E. Austero Merchandising from China, who declared that the agricultural products were ice cream. -rir