BOC seizes P1.8-M smuggled mercury

MANILA, Philippines – The Bureau of Customs (BOC) recently confiscated some 360 kilos of mercury at the Manila International Container Port (MICP).

Environmental group BAN Toxics (BT) lauded the BOC for intercepting the smuggled mercury from China.

“We encourage Customs officials to continue enforcing environmental laws, especially those pertaining to toxic chemicals and wastes that put people’s health at risk,” BT executive director Richard Gutierrez said.

The BOC said the mercury arrived at the MICP on seven containers last Dec. 23.

“The illegal traders of mercury have profited over the years at the expense of our health and environment. The government should prosecute them and stop the entry of mercury and other banned chemicals into the country,” Gutierrez said.

Mercury is a highly toxic metal that adversely affects humans, especially children and pregnant mothers.