Customs seizes P18 million worth of smuggled onions in Misamis Oriental

At least 18 million worth of smuggled agricultural products were seized by operatives of the Bureau of Customs (BOC) Port of Cagayan de Oro.

In a statement on Monday, the BOC said that intelligence agents busted on July 28 six containers of smuggled white and red onions declared as “soft tortilla wrap” from China at Mindanao Container Terminal Port, Misamis Oriental.

“Upon receiving derogatory information on the contents of the shipments, District Collector Atty. Elvira Cruz immediately issued Pre-Lodgment Control Orders (PLCOs) subjecting the six containers to a 100% physical examination,” the Customs said.

The shipments underwent examination at the Mindanao International Container Terminal Services Inc. yard and was witnessed by the Customs district collector, sub-port collector, agents of the Bureau of Plant Industry (BPI), Enforcement and Security Service, Customs Intelligence and Investigation Service, Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency, Chamber of Customs Brokers, Inc.

A warrant of seizure and detention will be issued against the shipments for violation of Section 1400 of RA 10863 or the Customs Modernization and Tariff Act.

Supervising agriculturist of the BPI Manuel Barradas said the only option is to destroy the products or return it to its origin, which is costly.

“We don’t know what pest and disease these might bring that would infect our other crops here in Mindanao. This would also pose human risk because we don’t know what preservatives or chemical they used, this is a hazard to our consumers,” Barradas said.

To recall, BOC also intercepted smuggled white and red onions worth P12 million on July 12.—Mel Matthew Doctor/LDF, GMA News