The Bureau of Customs-Port of Cagayan de Oro seized another 12 containers of smuggled agricultural products worth P36 million from the Mindanao International Container Terminal Port, Tagoloan in Misamis Oriental on Aug. 11.

Lawyer Elvira Cruz, the district port collector, issued Pre-Lodgement Control Orders (PLCOs) against the shipments upon receipt of derogatory information for possible misdeclaration of agricultural products.

The shipments from China were consigned to Frankie Trading Enterprises and Primex Export and Import Producer and declared as “Spring Roll Patti” and “Plain Churros” but were red and white onions.

Warrants of Seizure and Detention will be issued against the shipments for violation of Section 1400 (Misdeclaration of Goods) and Section 117 (Regulated Importation) of Republic Act (RA) 10863 or the Customs Modernization and Tariff Act, and RA 10845 or the Anti-Agricultural Smuggling Act.

Aside from Cruz, others who witnessed the examination of the shipments were lawyer Marrieta Zamoranos, MCT Sub-port Collector; Pangandaman Casan, assessment chief, MCT; Melchor Rabo, asst. assessment chief, MCT; Adriano Lamata, asst. chief, CIIS-CDO; SP/Lt. Arkhan Macaombang, deputy district commander, ESS-CDO; Manuel Barradas, Bureau of Plant Industry; Ronie Gutang, MICTSI; and Raymundo Maquiling Jr., CCBI.Cruz said the Port of Cagayan de Oro was relentless in its efforts to curb agricultural smuggling in the country, especially in Northern Mindanao, as it greatly affects the local farming industry.