Customs to open dubious shipment by month’s end

CEBU, Philippines - The Bureau of Customs – Cebu will inspect by month’s end the container vans suspected to be loaded with meat that is unfit for human consumption.

Verne Enciso, chief of the Customs Intelligence and Investigation Service-Cebu, said the 10 vans, 10x40 feet each, need to be opened after they were abandoned by the consignee over a year ago.

CIIS Deputy Commissioner Jessie Dellosa has issued an alert order covering the shipment consigned to Lean Pasture Trading for possible violation of lack of permit and expired meat.

The shipment came from the US, Netherlands and Spain. Based on records, the shipment, valued at P10 million, includes meat are frozen pork riblets, frozen pork back fat strips, frozen pork jowl rind.

Enciso said they will request for representatives from the Bureau of Animal, the National Meat Inspection, Animal Quarantine, and the Food and Drug Administration.

“Sila ang nakakaalam if it’s fit for human consumption kasi mahirap na kung unfit na yan tapos ma-distribute sa mga market,” Enciso said.   (FREEMAN)