BOC, US agents foil smuggling of gun parts

MANILA, Philippines - Agents from the Bureau of Customs (BOC) and the United States Department of Homeland Security (US-DHS) foiled the smuggling of gun parts and accessories at the Manila International Container Port (MICP) over the weekend.

BOC-MICP District Collector Ricardo Belmonte said yesterday that they were tipped off by the US-DHS and Atlas Brokerage and Express Padala that seven balikbayan boxes containing upper and lower receiver assembly and bullets for M-16 rifles and cleaning kits were among those found in a 40-foot shipping container that arrived from California on board cargo ship M/V OOCL Atlanta 44 on July 16.

Atlas Brokerage and Express Padala stood as consignees for the consolidated shipment in the container.

 “With the parts that we saw, they were not enough to assemble even one firearm, they were just gun parts. Most likely these were imported for commercial use,” Belmonte said.

The seven boxes were consigned to Louie Mendoza of La Loma, Quezon City. Marilou Mendoza shipped the boxes, which she described as containing personal effects.

Belmonte said the US-DHS might file charges against the shipper.

Alvarez said the gun parts and accessories will be turned over to the Philippine National Police-Firearms and Explosive Units.