Authorities have intercepted a shipment of smuggled onions worth more than P2 million at the Mindanao Container Terminal (MCT) in Tagoloan, Misamis Oriental.

Agriculture Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel, Jr. led the inspection of the shipment on Tuesday, June 24, 2025.

The 40-foot container van arrived at the port on May 26, 2025 from Xiamen, China.

According to the Bureau of Customs (BOC) Cagayan de Oro City, the shipment had no official lodgment or import entry but was traced based on derogatory information from the Bureau of Plant Industry (BPI).

“Smuggled ito there was no lodgement, no entry lodge for this one pero may derogatory information from the BPI kaya namin na trace ito,” Bureau of Customs (BOC) Cagayan de Oro City District Collector, Art Sevilla, said.

Based on the manifesto obtained by the BOC, the shipment was declared to contain instant noodles. However, authorities discovered sacks of onions upon opening the container van.

Laurel said this is not a new modus, revealing that similar contraband had been intercepted at the Port of Manila.

“Meron kasing similar containers by the same company na nahuli sa Manila tinawag sa all ports kung meron pang mga containers na galing sa kompanyang ito lalo pa galing sa China paki monitor nalang at yun na nga salamat sa Customs,” Laurel said.

The onions seized were estimated to weigh around 25,500 kilos with a market value of more than P2 million.

Authorities continue to investigate and are building a case against individuals and entities involved.

“I’m sure ginagamit yung pangalan ng kompanya na yan for a fee kaya mag iingat yung mga yun sa ating bagong batas na Agricultural Smuggling kasama diyan yung nag import, broker kasama pati yung truck driver kasama diyan yung nag benta,” Laurel added.