BOC seizes over P139M worth of undeclared agricultural products

The Bureau of Customs (BOC) said on Saturday that it seized over P139 million worth of undeclared agricultural products during a series of law enforcement operations held from December 27 to 29.

The BOC said the shipments containing undeclared goods arrived from China between November 27 and December 3 at the Manila International Container Port (MICP) and were consigned to a consumer goods trading company in Alabang, Muntinlupa.

Personnel from the Customs Intelligence and Investigation Service at MICP (CIIS-MICP) found the shipments contained undeclared fresh red and white onions, frozen ox tripe, frozen barbecue, and frozen crawfish.

Customs Commissioner Yogi Filemon Ruiz said the entry of smuggled agricultural products into the local markets affects the agriculture sector.

"Bringing a hot commodity like onions into our borders without going through the proper procedures is an affront to our farmers, the people who make sure we have enough supply of it," he added. 

The BOC also earlier said it had seized P171 million worth of smuggled agricultural and food products from China. —VBL, GMA Integrated News