MANILA, Philippines — The Bureau of Customs (BOC) has coordinated with the US Homeland Security Investigation (US-HSI) in tracking down the syndicate behind the importation of P1 million worth of high-end ammunition that arrived in the country last Dec. 6.
Alvin Enciso, BOC-Manila International Container Port Customs Intelligence and Investigation Service (CIIS) supervisor, yesterday said the initial coordination was made on the day they were alerted of the contraband by verbally requesting their US counterpart to investigate those involved in California, where the shipment came from.
Among the details that they asked for from the US-HSI are where and how the items were purchased by the shipper and the extent of their illegal operation.
While the shipper was named Alex Agustin of 31762 Gentry AV, Gilroy in California, Enciso said the BOC-CIIS is not discounting the possibility that an international syndicate might be orchestrating the importation of the contraband goods to the Philippines.
“We are looking at the direction that the shipper might be connected to a big-time arms dealer from the US since it seems that they are doing this regularly. We aim to get them with the help of our international and local intelligence communities,” Enciso stressed.
The shipment, which was placed in six balikbayan boxes, was misdeclared as personal effects and household goods. But it was found during inspection that these contained 10 boxes of Rifle Line ammunition (50 cartridges of 30 carbine spm 110 gr/7.13 per box); 30 boxes of Wolf performance ammunition (20 cartridges of 7.62 x 39mm per box); 50 33-round 9mm Glock magazine; 22 military backpacks and accessories; three used t-shirts; 3 bottles of BTLS water and a bottle of hot sauce.
Authorities suspect that the items would be brought to the black market that caters to gun enthusiasts.
The shipment was consigned to a certain Arnel Velasco on a “care of” basis through a man named Lario Vecencio of San Isidro street in San Marcelino, Zambales.
Enciso said this was Vecencio’s first offense as he pointed out that the BOC and the Philippine National Police-Criminal Investigation and Detection Group were able to confiscate last September an estimated P1 million worth of smuggled ammunition that were also coursed through him.
The BOC have filed an illegal importation of firearms complaint before the Department of Justice against Vecencio and two others.