Smuggled watches, underwear seized

CEBU, Philippines - Close to a million peso worth of suspected smuggled watches and underwear items from Mindanao were seized yesterday by the joint operatives of the Philippine Coast Guard and the Bureau of Customs at the Pier 6 in Cebu City.

 Indian national Sun Jay Kalra was arrested by the joint Customs and Coast Guard operatives after he failed to show documents that his possession of the 10 bags of assorted fake watches, underwear items, brassieres and other accessories is legal.

Commander Rolando Punzalan of the Cebu Coast Guard station estimated the suspected smuggled goods to be worth P937,025.

Punzalan however said Kalra, who is a resident of Sikatuna Street, was able to show documents last night for the underwear items and other accessories. But, the suspect reportedly failed to prove that the 3,229 assorted fake watches were legally imported.

Punzalan said Kalra will be charged by the Bureau of Customs for violation of the Section 3601 of the Tariff and Customs Code of the Philippines.

According to Punzalan, they received information from a confidential source about the expected arrival yesterday morning of suspected smuggled goods from Mindanao. Punzalan said they were told that the suspect is on board the Super Ferry 12 from Cagayan De Oro City and is expected to arrive at the Pier 6 at 7:00 a.m.

Punzalan said he immediately coordinated with the Bureau of Customs and organized a team to intercept the shipment. The team immediately conducted an inspection inside the vessel after its arrival and found Kalra acting suspiciously.

Punzalan said they immediately conducted an inspection of the suspect’s baggage where they discovered the contrabands.

Kalra claimed to be a consignee of the goods from Cagayan de Oro and Davao City. He said he is supposed to deliver the goods to his clients at the Cebu City down town area.

Kalra is currently detained at the coast guard station pending the filing of the formal charges in court.–(FREEMAN)