BOC intercepts smuggled frozen mackerel from China
The Bureau of Customs (BOC) intercepted the entry of 21 containers of smuggled frozen mackerel from China at the Manila International Container Port (MICP).
The Customs Intelligence and Investigation Service (CIIS) of the MICP, on October 16, recommended the issuance of a Pre-Lodgement Control Order for the 21 containers of frozen mackerel originating from Beijing.
This came after the receipt of derogatory information regarding the shipments. Authorities said the value of each container was estimated to be at P8.5 million, totaling P178.5 million.
BOC Commissioner Bien Rubio said a request for the issuance of a Pre-Lodgement Control Order was made due to concerns that the shipment contained ''misclassified, misdeclared, and undeclared goods.''
"Our mission to protect the country's agricultural sector is just as important, just as critical as our mission to stop illegal drugs and many others from entering our borders. Keeping smuggled agricultural products off our local markets ensures fair competition in the domestic market. It also keeps the costs of goods down," Rubio said in a press release on Wednesday.
Meanwhile, in a letter dated October 25, 2024, Deputy Commissioner for the Intelligence Group, Juvymax Uy, addressed to the MICP District Collector Rizalino Torralba, reiterated to MICP District Collector Rizalino Torralba the CIIS' recommendation to issue a Warrant of Seizure and Detention for the shipments.
"This request was based on information indicating that the shipments were not covered by any SPS Import Clearance (SPSIC) from the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR)," Uy said in the letter.
CIIS Director Verne Enciso said authorities are in the process of gathering information on the consignee of the shipments to file appropriate cases. He said the containers have remained unclaimed by the consignee.
''We also want to emphasize the importance of proper coordination among various government agencies that contributed to the seizure of these goods,'' Enciso said.
According to Enciso, the CIIS has reached the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources to inquire about the current requirements for mackerel importation and whether the consignee had been issued an SPS Import Clearance.
The consignee may face charges of violating Sections 117 and 1113 of the Customs Modernization and Tariff Act (CMTA) in relation to DA (Department of Agriculture) Memorandum Order No. 14, series of 2024, and other existing DA regulations.
--VAL, GMA Integrated News