In pursuit of transparency and border security, the Revenue Collection Monitoring Group (RCMG), through the Bureau’s Action Team Against Smugglers (BATAS) of the Legal Service filed 30 criminal and administrative cases against erring importers and customs brokers who profusely violated customs laws, rules, and regulations.

The anti-smuggling efforts of the Bureau of Customs (BOC) in coordination with the Department of Justice and other government agencies resulted in the filing of a total of 24 criminal cases from January to March 2022 against 73 individuals composed of importers, exporters, and customs brokers for violations of the Republic Act No. 10863, also known as the Customs Modernization and Tariff Act (CMTA) and other pertinent laws.

Similarly, 6 administrative cases were filed against licensed customs brokers before the Professional Regulation Commission (PRC).

Data from BATAS show that the cases involved the unlawful importation of cigarettes valued at Php 160.4 million, agricultural products valued at Php 131.4 million, motor vehicles valued at Php 49.4 million, general merchandise amounting to Php 7.7 million, and other commodities valued at 7.2 million.

The BOC remains committed in continuing the fight against smuggling by filing the appropriate cases against unscrupulous individuals.