The Bureau of Customs (BOC) Cebu-Subport of Mactan seized on Sept. 30 an unmanifested shipment of hazardous chemicals with an estimated value of P1.5M found on board a vessel from South Korea.

Customs personnel conducted a physical inspection on the vessel upon receiving derogatory information from the Customs Intelligence and Investigation Service (CIIS)-Subport of Mactan. The Boarding Team found a total of 8,485 liters of hazardous chemicals consisting of Hydrochloric Acid, Potassium Hydroxide, and Sodium Hypochlorite Solution, all not covered by the vessel’s manifest or stores list.

District Collector Charlito Martin R. Mendoza immediately issued the Warrant of Seizure and Detention against the unmanifested cargoes after finding probable cause for violation of Sections 1113 (g), (f), and (l-5) of the Customs Modernization and Tariff Act.

The seized goods will undergo a forfeiture proceeding and will be disposed of following environmental protocols and existing customs rules and regulations.The Port of Cebu, under the leadership of Commissioner Yogi Filemon L. Ruiz and aligned with the directives of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., remains fully committed to securing the borders against various clandestine modes of smuggling.