The Bureau of Customs (BOC) remains steadfast in its fight to end the smuggling of agricultural products.

From January to date, the Bureau’s Action Team Against Smugglers (BATAS) filed 33 cases before the Department of Justice against 33 importers and 11 customs brokers for unlawful importation of agricultural products.

Of the 33 cases, 22 were filed for violation of the Republic Act. No. 10845, or the Anti-Agricultural Smuggling of 2016.

Of these numbers, nine cases were against nine importers and five customs brokers filed under the administration of Customs Commissioner Yogi Filemon Ruiz due to the BOC’s intensified border protection measures.

The subject of the cases filed by the Bureau has a total dutiable value of P251.61 million, with duties, taxes, and fees amounting to P107.19 million.

Under the leadership of Commissioner Ruiz, the BOC further strengthened risk profiling and inspection of shipments and warehouses, resulting in the filling of appropriate cases against unscrupulous individuals.

Following the directive of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., BOC continues to heighten its efforts to suppress agricultural smuggling that heavily affects the local farmers while protecting the welfare of the citizens.