BOC mulls smuggling raps over P3-M firecrackers

The Bureau of Customs is planning to file smuggling charges against the lessee of a warehouse in Binondo, Manila where BOC personnel discovered an estimated P3 million worth of firecrackers believed to have been illegally brought in from China.

Eric Albano, BOC-Customs Intelligence and Investigation Service (CIIS) raiding team leader, said they received information that a certain Robert Ching allegedly leased the warehouse on Muelle de Binondo in Manila.

He said that while no arrests were made, they confiscated the assorted firecrackers and temporarily stored them at Warehouse 159 of the Port of Manila, which is the designated depository for all confiscated goods.

“I think BoC Commissioner Napoleon Morales is contemplating on filing smuggling cases against those responsible in the smuggling of the firecrackers. Even if we were unable to apprehend Ching, if necessary, we could still file charges against him through our Run After The Smugglers (RATS) program,” Albano added.

On Monday, the BOC is set to conduct an inventory of the seized firecrackers. It was initially reported that the BOC found piccolo and watusi (dancing firecrackers), tiger crossfire, color pearl flowers, toy gun bullets, tiger fireworks, and kwitis (baby rockets).

During the operation, BOC personnel also saw blank receipts of Tosako Trading but have yet to determine if Tosako is associated with Ching.

The BoC was also unable to find documents that would have supported the importation of firecrackers. There was also no permit from the Philippine National Police-Firearms and Explosives Division (PNP-FED) that would have authorized the importation.

“The building administrator was even mad at Ching because he stored firecrackers in the warehouse without first seeking clearance. He was worried that storing firecrackers could have led to a fire and destroy the establishment,” Albano said. Ching only rented the area last Sept. 1.

Albano said one of the reasons why they became suspicious was that they spotted several boxes marked “Made in Bulacan.” When they checked the contents of the boxes, each firecracker bore the marking “Made in China.” 

The firecrackers were reportedly to be sold in several stalls in Divisoria, but Albano is not discounting the possibility that the products were also brought to Baclaran and nearby provinces.