The Bureau of Customs (BOC) through Port of Cagayan de Oro (CDO) in coordination with the Department of Agriculture, successfully foiled a smuggling attempt involving an estimated 25,500 kilograms of red onions concealed with boxes of egg noodles, following a spot-check inspection conducted in Mindanao Container Terminal at PHIVIDEC Industrial Authority Compound, Tagoloan, Misamis Oriental.

The shipment, arrived from China on May 26, 2025, and was declared in its manifest to contain egg noodles, frozen croissant dough, frozen dough buns, pizza dough, and spring rolls.

The 40-foot container was spot-checked on June 11, 2025, after the Bureau of Customs received a tip from the Department of Agriculture – Bureau of Plant Industry (DA-BPI) about possible misdeclared agricultural goods requiring further verification and clearance.

The examination by the Customs Examiner, witnessed by representatives from the Enforcement and Security Service (ESS), Customs Intelligence and Investigation Service (CIIS), X-Ray Inspection (XIP), and a member of Philippine Chamber of Customs Brokers Inc., revealed that the shipment contained 25,500 kilograms of red onions, with a market value estimated to be worth 2 million pesos.

“This is the result of strengthened inter-agency coordination between the Bureau of Customs and the Department of Agriculture, aimed at safeguarding our national borders against the entry of smuggled goods that pose risks not only to public health but also to the livelihood of our local farmers,” said District Collector Arthur G. Sevilla, Jr.

Agriculture Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr., who led the inspection of the apprehended goods on June 24, 2025, expressed his gratitude to the BOC for successfully intercepting the smuggled onions, which the Department has been monitoring for entry through various ports across the country.

“There were similar containers from the same company that were intercepted in Manila, so we traced them and alerted all ports to monitor any containers from this company coming from China. Thanks to the BOC, we were able to intercept this shipment. This is a warning to agricultural smugglers, we will not stop going after you. We will file the appropriate cases,” said Secretary Laurel Tiu.

The DA will subject the smuggled onions to laboratory testing to determine if they are fit for consumption. If deemed safe, they will be donated; otherwise, they will be disposed of accordingly.

A Warrant of Seizure and Detention (WSD) was immediately issued against the smuggled agricultural products in accordance with R.A. 10863 or the Customs Modernization and Tariff Act (CMTA) and other relevant Customs rules and regulations.

Guided by President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.’s directive, the government is taking stronger steps to fight agricultural smuggling and support local farmers. These efforts help keep illegally imported goods from pushing out local produce in the market.

“We owe it to our farmers, consumers, and the nation to ensure that no smuggled agricultural product makes it to our markets. Our continued partnership with the DA is key to fulfilling this duty,” said BOC Commissioner Bienvenido Rubio.