P140-M agri products seized at Mindanao port

MANILA, Philippines - At least P140 million worth of agricultural products from China and Vietnam have been seized by Bureau of Customs (BOC) agents in Mindanao, officials said yesterday.

The BOC-Intelligence Group (IG) said the shipments, which arrived at the Mindanao Container Terminal, were consigned to EC Peninsula and New Dawn Enterprises.

Last month, the consignees were charged with smuggling by the Department of Justice for the alleged illegal importation of glutinous rice worth P80 million.

The shipments, which were declared as kitchenware, tiles and condiments, were seized on Jan. 9 and Feb. 3.

BOC deputy commissioner for IG Jessie Dellosa said the 78 shipping containers were found to contain rice, garlic, carrots, potatoes and sugar.

A team from the BOC and Department of Agriculture inspected the shipments in the presence of representatives of the DA, Bureau of Plant Industry and Sugar Regulatory Administration.