Bureau of Customs seizes P10-million smuggled goods

MANILA, Philippines – The Bureau of Customs (BOC) yesterday presented some P10 million worth of suspected smuggled items seized at the Manila International Container Port (MICP).

 BOC Commissioner Rufino Biazon said the smuggled items illegally entered the MICP from July to September this year. They include two forklifts, a magnetic separator and magnetic assembly with gear motor drive, 1,320 pairs of fake Adidas rubber shoes, a used Harley Davidson, a second-hand Honda 400 CC Superfour, a used Honda 250 CC Motorcycle Super Sports, a used GTX Turbocam Motorcycle, and an assortment of used tires and motorcycle parts.

BOC’s MICP district collector Ricardo Belmote and X-Ray Inspection Project chief lawyer Lourdes Mangaoang were among those who presented the smuggled items yesterday.

Biazon said majority of the seized items were covered by the balikbayan box program and reportedly sent through forwarding companies such as DLX International, Cogtong Fast Cargo, and ADEC Cargo.

The seized items were placed under the custody of the Auction and Cargo Disposal Division of the MICP. 

Biazon meanwhile said the bureau should acquire more X-ray scanning machines, which have been proven effective in thwarting smuggling efforts in the country.

“We should definitely acquire more. But that would be up to Congress and the President if he would give us more budget. We would definitely ask for more budget,” he said.

He said there are only 30 X-ray machines scattered in different ports in the country. Of about 1,500 shipping containers that pass through the MICP everyday, he said, the X-ray machines can scan only about 300.

He said the use of X-ray machines effectively reduces reliance on actual and time-consuming physical examination. He said non-intrusive inspection enables the agency to enhance trade security and facilitation as it speeds up the security of shipments, makes possible the detection of illegal and security threatening cargoes, facilitates the movement of goods even as it promotes efficiency in the proper assessment of duties and taxes.