BOC seizes P12M worth of smuggled onions in Misamis Oriental

The Bureau of Customs (BOC) on Thursday said it had intercepted smuggled agricultural products worth P12 million in Tagoloan, Misamis Oriental.

In a statement, the BOC said it busted four containers of white and red onions misdeclared as “Spring Roll Patti” at the Mindanao Container Terminal Port on Tuesday.

These goods were consigned to Primex Export and Import Producer and arrived from China on July 12.

District Collector Elvira Cruz issued the pre-lodgment control order against the shipments.

A warrant of seizure and detention will be issued against it for violating Republic Act 10863 or the Customs Modernization and Tariff Act, according to the bureau.

“This is the second seizure of the Port of Cagayan de Oro in less than two weeks,” the BOC said.

Under Philippine laws, importers must have the necessary permits from both the BOC and the Department of Agriculture.

The BOC is mandated to assess and collect customs revenues from imported goods and exercise border control to prevent the entry of smuggled goods. —VBL, GMA News