As part of the Bureau of Customs’ (BOC) drive against smuggling, the Intelligence Group (IG) through its Customs Intelligence and Investigation Service Field Office-Intelligence Property Rights Division (CIIS-IPRD) and the BOC-Port of Manila (POM) seized smuggled red onions with an approximate value of Php800,000 found in three (3) warehouses on October 25, 2021.

Armed with Letters of Authority (LOA) issued by BOC Commissioner Rey Leonardo B. Guerrero, a composite team of members from the POM District Personnel, CIIS-IPRD, and the National Bureau of Investigation-IPRD conducted three (3) inspections at multiple warehouses located in Carmen Planas Street, Tondo, Manila.

The inspections led to the discovery of smuggled red onions with no Sanitary and Phytosanitary Import Clearances (SPSIC) and appropriate importation documents. A warrant of seizure detention was issued thereafter.

The smuggling of agricultural products is violative of the Anti-Agricultural Smuggling Act of 2016 (RA 10845), Intellectual Property Code of the Philippines (RA 9283), and the Customs Modernization and Tariff Act (RA 10863).

Under the leadership of BOC Commissioner Rey Leonardo B. Guerrero, the BOC will remain rigorous in implementing Customs laws to protect the nation’s borders against illegal importations of agricultural products and to support local farms and industries that are heavily impacted by these illicit activities.