As part of the intensified joint operation of the Bureau of Customs-Legazpi through its Customs Border Protection Team (CBPT) and the Philippine Coast Guard-Sorsogon, a total of 42 bales of ‘Ukay-Ukay’ with an estimated market value of Php 500,000 were intercepted on different occasions while conducting paneling of buses and other vehicles at Matnog, Sorsogon.

On July 8, 2023, 25 bales of imported used clothing were first intercepted. The alleged prohibited items were bound for Samar and Leyte.

Meanwhile, on July 10, 2023, 17 bales of the same items were turned over to the Bureau of Customs-Legazpi by PCG-Sorsogon. Nine of which were caught on July 8, 2023 en route to Davao Oriental, while the remaining eight bales were intercepted on various dates in June and July 2023.

During the inspection, the owners failed to present any legal documents pertaining to their cargo.

A Warrant of Seizure and Detention will be issued against the forty-two (42) bundles/bales of used clothing for violation of Sections 118 (g) and 1113 (a) of R.A. 10863 otherwise known as the “Customs Modernization and Tariff Act” in relation to R.A. 4653 otherwise known as “An Act to Safeguard the Health of the People and Maintain the Dignity of the Nation by Declaring it a National Policy to Prohibit the Commercial Importation of Textile Articles Commonly Known as Used Clothing and Rags.”

In recognition of the valuable efforts of the officers and personnel of PCG-Sorsogon, District Collector Se

gundo Sigmundfreud Barte Jr. issued them Certificates of Commendation.

The BOC-Legazpi remains steadfast in its efforts to combat smuggling in any form, as part of the directives of Commissioner Bienvenido Rubio and President Ferdinand Marcos, Jr.#