Govt agencies seize P100-M worth of smuggled agricultural products in Cavite

Several government agencies seized up to P100 million worth of smuggled agricultural products in Kawit, Cavite.

A joint inspection of the Bureau of Customs, the Department of Agriculture (DA) and the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) uncovered approximately five container loads of agricultural goods in an unregistered cold-storage warehouse, according to a press release from the BOC on Wednesday.

“This initiative was supported by a mission order and a letter of authority to inspect three warehouses suspected of storing illegally imported agricultural products without payment of correct duties and taxes,” it said.

“The swift action taken by the BOC and its partner agencies has thwarted a significant attempt to flood the market with unauthorized imported goods, potentially harming the local agriculture sector,” it added.

The warehouse has been sealed, while authorities have been deployed on-site to prevent access to the confiscated products.

“This operation demonstrates our steadfast resolve to protect our local farmers and consumers from the adverse impacts of smuggling. We will continue to intensify our efforts to combat this illegal activity,” said BOC Commissioner Bienvenido Rubio. —Jiselle Anne Casucian/RF, GMA Integrated News