Customs unit scores major victories vs smuggling

MANILA, Philippines - The Enforcement Group of the Bureau of Customs (BOC), headed by Customs Deputy Commissioner Horacio P. Suansing Jr., recently scored major successive victories in the government’s anti-smuggling campaign.

Suansing was appointed deputy commissioner this year after being named “Bureau of Customs Collector of the Year” in 2008.

The Enforcement Group confiscated four smuggled containers of Peking duck meat, beef, and onions valued at about P40 million. The smuggled cargo is the subject of a warrant of seizure and forfeiture issued by the BOC on July 30, 2009.

According to Suansing, the owner of the shipment is under the protection of a politician and several newspaper columnists.

“We are going to reveal their identities once we have completed our investigation and have gathered sufficient evidence to file criminal cases against them,” Suansing said. “We are not going to be intimidated by the black propaganda against us being spread by this cabal.”

Suansing also reported that his group seized two 40-foot container vans holding endangered species, particularly protected narra. The shipment was misdeclared by the consignee.

The group also seized the smuggled vessel “Hai Sheng 789” at a wharf in Masinloc, Zambales, pursuant to a warrant of seizure and detention issued by the BOC.

Valued at some P7 milion, the forfeited vessel will be sold at public auction as part of the bureau’s revenue collection.