Seized ukay-ukay clothes found in Benguet warehouse; 8 Customs personnel probed

Eight Customs personnel are now under investigation after more than 100 stacks (bulto) of ukay-ukay (used clothes) seized in Baguio City last year were found in a warehouse in Benguet province Wednesday.

The used clothes found in the warehouse in La Trinidad town are believed to be part of the items seized in last September's raid, GMA Dagupan reported Thursday.

But the owner of the warehouse denied knowing the items had been smuggled.

In September's raid, Customs personnel seized some P20 million worth of ukay-ukay clothing in La Trinidad.

While the seized clothes were sent to a shredding company to be destroyed, some of them may have been brought elsewhere.

Gen. Bonifacio de Castro, Customs district collector for San Fernando City, said there is an ongoing investigation bening handled by the Intelligence Group in Manila under retired Armed Forces chief of staff Jessie Dellosa.

"So ako naman, lahat ng involved na tauhan ko pinadala ko roon for investigation," he said.

The report said eight BOC employees in San Fernando City are being probed over the supposed spiriting away of the used clothes from the shredding firm.

The Bureau of Customs tried to get in touch with the shredding company but has failed to do so. — Joel Locsin/LBG, GMA News