The Bureau of Customs (BOC), through the Bureau’s Action Team Against Smugglers (BATAS), filed three criminal complaints before the Department of Justice (DOJ) against alleged violators of Customs laws.

The first criminal complaint is against an importer and a customs broker for illegally importing 13 containers of refined sugar at the Manila International Container Port.

The other two criminal complaints were filed against another importer and their customs broker due to the alleged illegal importation of 58 containers of refined sugar at the Port of Subic.

The respondents are facing numerous counts of violation of Section 1401 in relation to Sections 1400 and 117 of the CMTA, SRA-BOC Joint Memorandum No. 4-2002, and Sections 3 and 4 of the Anti-Agricultural Smuggling Act of 2016.

From January 1 to March 17, 2023, the BOC has already filed 45 agri-related criminal complaints against importers and customs brokers involved in alleged smuggling and customs fraud.

“Our continuous filing of criminal complaints against perpetrators of illegal importation manifests our commitment to end smuggling,” said Commissioner Rubio.

“We will continue to strengthen our border control measures and file cases against violators of Customs laws to ensure compliance among stakeholders,” he added.#