BOC monitors entry of fake medicines

MANILA, Philippines - The Bureau of Customs (BOC) will keep a closer watch on the entry of fake medicines and illegal drugs into the country, saying that these goods are more harmful to the public than other products that enter Philippine ports illegally.

In an interview with The STAR, Deputy Commissioner for Intelligence Danilo Lim said that in his fight against smuggling, he is putting more emphasis on goods that have more harmful effects on the public.

Lim said that while the agency has yet to apprehend or file multi-billion peso smuggling cases, the cases it has filed so far have included drug traffickers.

“It’s the quality of the case and not just the amount,” Lim noted.

Lim said that in recent months, his group has been able to apprehend smugglers that have brought into the Philippines fake medicines, fake chargers and illegal drugs. “Our apprehensions have huge impact on public health and safety,” he said.

Last Thursday, the BOC filed smuggling cases against two traders and a Customs brokers for allegedly bringing in 160 drums of illegal drugs.

The BOC sued before the Department of Justice Wilfredo Armario Bitancor, owner of W.A. Bitancor, a trading company that operates in Binondo.

The BOC also filed charges against Customs broker Franco Celso and trader Marvin Sia.

According to Lim, Bitancor’s shipment of 160 drums contained sulfuric acid and N-Butyl Acetate, 445 bags of Caustic Soda, and other laboratory equipment worth P38 million.

Sia, meanwhile, was allegedly responsible for bringing in Metamphetamine Hydrocholoride or Shabu worth P17.6 million.