P6M worth of smuggled mobile phones seized

MANILA, Philippines - The Bureau of Customs presented on Monday more than P6 million worth of smuggled phones seized during an operation last Jan. 4.

Customs Commissioner Ruffy Biazon, BOC-Deputy Commissioner for Enforcement Group Horacio Suansing, Jr. and Enforcement and Security Service (ESS) Director George Alino presented before the media 793 pieces of Cloud Fone Thrill 430X phones, valued at P6,167,161. The phones were confiscated after a hot pursuit which cornered the van driven by suspects Narciso Briones and John Jamilla Bernardion, employees of Windfreight Express Total Logistics. Both were held for violating Sections 3601 and 3609 of the Tariffs and Customs Code of the Philippines, the state agency said.

The BOC said the operation was a result of the commission's enhanced monitoring of warehouses.

Biazon said operatives were about to investigate reports of goods being smuggled out of Safeway Warehouse, a Customs-bonded warehouse in Manila, when they saw a van speeding out of the warehouse. This resulted to a hot pursuit with the suspects being arrested.

“I am warning those who would like to earn quick money out of smuggling again. It won’t pay to do illicit deals or transactions at the BOC. Sooner or later we will catch up with your illegal activities. And with proper authorization from the courts or other concerned government instrumentalities, we will bang or breakdown doors, if necessary, if only to get smugglers and illegally imported goods.” Biazon said.

Biazon said the mobile phones will be auctioned to enable the government to recover its foregone revenues and the persons involved will be charged at the appropriate courts.

Meanwhile, Suansing said the ESS is on monitoring all Customs cargo holding facilities to ensure that no illegal release of cargoes in Customs-bonded warehouses happen.

“We are closely watching the operations of Customs bonded warehouses to ensure that all cargo releases are legal.” Suansing said.

Alino said the operation will save many local mobile phone traders from the negative impact of unfair competition in the market.