P20-M worth of ‘smuggled’ electronics seized in Bulacan

The Bureau of Customs (BOC) has seized alleged smuggled electronics at a warehouse in Guiguinto, Bulacan.

In a statement on Thursday, the BOC said the inspection was conducted through a Letter of Authority (LOA) issued by Customs Commissioner Bienvenido Rubio based on “derogatory information” received about a warehouse at the RIS Industrial Complex in Guiguinto.

Upon inspection, the BOC said the implementing team discovered assorted televisions of different sizes, machines used for lamination, boxes used for packaging, and raw materials for reconditioning and repair.

The estimated value of the goods discovered inside the warehouse was P20 million, the Customs said.

The agency said the team temporarily secured the storage facility with BOC seals and posted 24/7 duty detail at the entrance and exit gates of the warehouse.

The Customs said if the goods discovered were found to be without the proper import documents, it would be subject to seizure and forfeiture proceedings for violation of Section 1400 (Misdeclaration in Goods Declaration) in relation to Section 1113 (Property Subject to Seizure and Forfeiture) of Republic Act No. 10863, known as the Customs Modernization and Tariff Act (CMTA).

The implementing team was composed of personnel from the Customs Intelligence and Investigation Service (CIIS)-Port of Manila, the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group-Philippine National Police, Enforcement and Security Service-Port of Manila, Formal Entry Division-Port of Manila, and the Legal Service, BOC-Revenue Collection Monitoring Group served the LOA.

"The BOC remains committed to safeguarding the nation's borders and ensuring compliance with importation laws," said Rubio.—AOL, GMA Integrated News