P18-M imported garlic seized in Batangas

BATANGAS, Philippines – Two 40-foot container vans containing imported garlic worth P18 million were confiscated by elements of the Bureau of Customs here.

Batangas district collector Ernesto Benitez said yesterday about 50,000 kilos of garlic from Taiwan consigned to Good Earth Merchandise in Cagayan de Oro were found unregistered and considered as smuggled goods.

Benitez said the contraband was under broker Antonio Enriquez of Guiginto, Bulacan.

He said the consignee declared the importation as 50,000 kilos of cocoa beans used in making chocolate drinks.

The cargo arrived in Batangas last June 1. Customs authorities waited for the broker to enter his shipment declaration at the BOC but no one came.

A warrant of seizure and detention is being readied by the Batangas customs collector for forfeiture of the contraband in favor of the government.