BOC files raps vs anti-virus software smuggler

MANILA, Philippines - The Bureau of Customs (BOC) yesterday filed charges for smuggling against a businesswoman and a Customs broker for allegedly illegally bringing into the country P27 million worth of anti-virus software.

 The case against Myrna Garcia of Plinth Enterprises, the consignee of the shipment and Customs broker Custodio Mendoza Vestidas Jr. was filed 23 days after the BOC seized the shipment at the Manila International Container Port (MICP).

The MICP-X-Ray Inspection Project discovered the illegal cargo that was concealed in a 40-foot shipping container.

 The shipment, which arrived on Nov. 5 was misdeclared as compact disc kit cleaners and plastic CD cases and grossly undervalued at P100,362.

The prevailing market price of the anti-virus software (Kaspersky) is P27,787,078.27, BOC said.