2 men nabbed in Zambales for smuggling firearms, gun accessories

Two men have been arrested by operatives from the Bureau of Customs (BOC) for allegedly smuggling firearms having an estimated worth of P5.5 million on Saturday in San Marcelino, Zambales.

In a statement on Tuesday, the BOC identified the suspects as Vicente Hilario, 54, and Jun Navarro, 69.

The BOC noted that six balikbayan boxes from California, USA were used to hide the following gun accessories:

• More or less 6,000 Rounds Live Ammunitions of TulAmmo 7.62x39 mm caliber,
• 166 pieces Chip Mc Cormick Power Magazine 10 Rounder .45 ACP,
• 39 pieces Troy Industries Inc. Part Number Mac 30,
• Glock Magazine 30 Rounder,
• Roger Box,
• Troy Battle Ready Magazine 30 Rounder,
• 92 pieces 30 Rounder Glock 9mm Magazines,
• 29 pieces Carbine Extended Magazines,
• 29 pieces Kim Pro .45 Magazines,
• 60 pieces Troy Industries Inc. Mag 30 Case 3E21,
• 30 pieces Pro Mag Saiga Magazine 12 gauge, and
• water canister

Authorities also discovered other merchandise such as coffee, peanut butter, and brown rice which were also used to conceal the contraband.

"Through the issuance of warrant of seizure and detention by the collector of the Port of Manila and in compliance with the instructions stated in the mission order of the Commissioner, the elements of Customs Intelligence and Investigation Service, Enforcement and Security Service (ESS), Philippine National Police, and the deconsolidator conducted the controlled delivery of balikbayan boxes to Zambales and effected the arrest of the suspects,” ESS Director Yogi Ruiz said.

According to authorities, the package was sent by one Anselmo Dela Cruz of San Jose, California and was consigned to a certain Gregorio Dela Cruz, who remains at large.

Hilario and Navarro both denied the accusation against them.

They will be slapped with charges for violating Section 119 (Restricted Importation, and Exportation), Section 1400 (Misdeclaration, Misclassification, Undervaluation in Goods Declaration), Section 1113 (Property Subject to Seizure and Forfeiture) of the Customs Modernization and Tariff Act in relation to Republic Act 10591 or the Comprehensive Firearms and Ammunition Regulations Act.

Customs Commissioner Isidro Lapeña said the seized gun accessories could be used for insurgency.

He also left a warning against individuals trying to bring in smuggled products into the country.

"We are closely coordinating with deconsolidators and freight forwarders and we are upgrading our x-ray capabilities. These can deter the entry of illegal goods in the country," Lapeña said. — Anna Felicia Bajo/MDM, GMA News