Customs agents seize P10 M in smuggled French wines for the holidays

An estimated P10-million in French wines and spirits ostensibly intended for the Christmas holidays and consigned to a duty free shop inside the Clark Special Economic Zone (CSEZ) in Pampanga were seized by Customs agents at the Port of Manila yesterday.

Intelligence and Enforcement Group (IEG) Deputy Commissioner George Jereos, said a team from the IEG led by Special Agents Roberto Tibayan and Lauro Esteban apprehended the shipment after receiving a complaint and a disclaimer from the consignee. Seized were some 1,050 cartons of Napoleon Brandy VSOP and white and red wines from Le Havre, France, which arrived on board the vessel MV Citrowati V and consigned to the Grand Duty Free Plaza, Inc. (GDFPI), Jereos reported.

Tony See of the GDFPI, with offices at C.M. Recto Highway, CSEZ, Clarkfield, Pampanga, wrote Port of Manila District Collector Reynaldo Nicolas denying ownership of the shipment.

"We wish to make it on record that we have not ordered the shipment nor are we expecting any order of this commodity from France... We hereby waive all rights to claim the cargo and recommend that the same be seized outright and forefeited in favor of the government," See said in his letter.

See explained that GDFPI was constrained to issue the disclaimer because they believe some unscrupulous persons are exploiting their good reputation and outstanding record with the Bureau of Customs (BOC) for nefarious purposes.

"By making this official repudiation, our company will be freed from any lien, sanction or penalty that may occur on the cargo transaction over which we had no knowledge and control," See said.

Special Assistant for Operations, IEG, Roberto Santayana, said he recommended the issuance of a Warrant of Seizure and Detention (WSD) for the cargo for violation of the tariff and customs laws of the Philippines.– Jerry Botial