BOC intercepts over P13M smuggled carrots from China

More than P13.2 million worth of smuggled fresh carrots from China were intercepted at the Port of Manila, the Bureau of Customs (BOC) said on Wednesday.

In a statement, the BOC said the illicit agricultural products were shipped in three 40-foot containers that arrived in the country on Oct. 2.

However, the BOC-POM Alert Monitoring Unit issued a derogatory report on the shipment, after which District Collector Alexander Gerard Alviar issued an alert order on Oct. 8.

A full physical examination was conducted on the shipment on Oct. 17, which turned out to be 53,283.88 kilograms of fresh carrots that were misdeclared as bathroom fixtures, napkins, and storage boxes.

The shipment had an estimated fair market value of P13,282,072.77. 

“We are already preparing the necessary legal actions against those responsible,” BOC Assistant Commissioner Vincent Philip Maronilla said in a statement.

“Misdeclaration is a deliberate act to deceive the government and harm our farmers. The BOC will pursue this case with due process and determination,” he added. 

A warrant of seizure and detention will be issued against the misdeclared containers for violating Section 1400 and 117 (Misdeclaration and Lack of Import Permit), in relation to Section 1113 (Property Subject to Seizure and Forfeiture) of the Customs Modernization and Tariff Act (CMTA).

BOC Commissioner Ariel Nepomuceno stressed that illegal shipments of agricultural products “directly affect the livelihood of our farmers and the integrity of lawful trade.”

“Under the President’s directive, we are intensifying our border protection measures and improving coordination with other government agencies to stop these unlawful activities at their source. The BOC remains firm in its duty to ensure that only legitimate goods enter the country, safeguarding not only our economy but also the welfare of every Filipino farmer,” Nepomuceno added.  — JMA, GMA Integrated News