In line with the Bureau’s commitment to strengthen border security, the Bureau of Customs (BOC) – Port of Zamboanga, Enforcement and Security Service – Customs Police Division (ESS–CPD) Zamboanga District Office, Customs Intelligence and Investigation Service (CIIS) Port of Zamboanga Field Station, and Subport of Zamboanga Peninsula (ZAMPEN), in coordination with Department of Agriculture – Bureau of Plant Industry (DA – BPI) Pagadian City, seized two (2) delivery trucks carrying sacks of smuggled onions and garlic, with an estimated value of Php190,400 during a BOC checkpoint in Brgy. New Labangan, Labangan, Zamboanga del Sur.

According to the drivers of the two (2) wing-van trucks, they came from Cagayan de Oro City and were tasked to deliver assorted local goods and vegetables to Pagadian and Zamboanga City markets. Upon closer inspection of its cargoes, it was found out that several small sacks of allegedly imported onions and garlic were mingled with locally manufactured goods and vegetables. The same goods were inventoried in the presence of DA-BPI representatives.

The 151 small sacks of red onions and 121 small sacks of garlic, with an estimated market value of Php190,400, were seized in violation of the Customs Modernization and Tariff Act (CMTA) and RA 10845 or the Anti-Agricultural Smuggling Act. The goods were turned-over to the DA – BPI Pagadian City Office for safe-keeping and proper disposition.

According to District Collector Segundo Sigmundfreud Z. Barte Jr., the BOC – Port of Zamboanga, with guidance from Commissioner Rey Leonardo B. Guerrero, has strengthened the conduct of anti-smuggling operations on land through various strategic checkpoints in ZAMPEN to prevent the entry of smuggled goods.