The Bureau of Customs (BOC) conducted a major enforcement operation on September 5, 2024, in a warehouse in Parañaque City, uncovering PhP85 million worth of meat products and foodstuffs with foreign markings.

The operation was carried out following the issuance of a Letter of Authority (LOA) and collaboration among the Customs Intelligence and Investigation Service – Manila International Container Port (CIIS-MICP), Enforcement and Security Service – MICP (ESS-MICP), Philippine Coast Guard-Task Force Aduana (PCG-TFA), and the Department of Agriculture – Inspectorate and Enforcement (DA-IE).

Upon presenting the LOA to the warehouse representative, authorities conducted a thorough inspection, discovering a large quantity of frozen food products, including duck, chicken, and pork meat, along with various foodstuffs marked in Chinese and other foreign languages. The total estimated value of these goods is PhP85 million.

To secure the items, the team placed temporary padlocks and seals on the warehouse. Customs Examiners will conduct a detailed inventory of the goods in the presence of CIIS and ESS agents and representatives from the warehouse.

The BOC’s unwavering commitment in enforcing strict measures against smuggling and ensuring compliance with customs regulations are evident in this operation, which underscores the ongoing collaboration between agencies to protect local industries from unfair practices.

Commissioner Bienvenido Y. Rubio emphasized the BOC’s commitment to safeguard the agricultural sector, stating, “We rigorously monitor and regulate agricultural imports to prevent the entry of illicit products that could undermine the integrity of our agricultural industry. Our stringent inspection protocols and enforcement measures ensure that only compliant goods enter the market.”

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