P20M in smuggled goods seized by Customs agents

Smuggled goods valued at P20-million, including brand new luxury cars, motorcycles and Thai rice, were again intercepted by Customs agents yesterday at the Port of Manila (POM).

Deputy Commissioner for Intelligence and Enforcement Group (IEG) George Jereos said the contraband is believed to be part of the P80-million shipment seized by operatives of the Customs Intelligence and Investigation Service (CIIS) at the Manila International Container Port (MICP) last Monday.

CIIS chief Angel Africa Jr. commended POM-CIIS chief Danilo Ablaza, Assistant chief Teodoro Sagaral and Agent Rainier Ragos, who led the seizure of the shipments in both ports.

Jereos identified the consignees as Navarsas Trading of Sta. Peregrina, Pulilan, Bulacan, We Sound Enterprises with offices at 732 Alonzo St., Sta. Cruz, Manila (four 20-foot vans of Thai white rice), Ramjay Trading and General Merchandise (BMW 745i sedan and Honda Civic Hatchback, motorcycles, welding machines and used truck parts from Japan), Searoad Transport International (school/office supplies and foodstuff from South Korea) and Romeo Jarin-Dreamland Customs Brokerage (assorted merchandise including computer parts from Hong Kong).

The Thai rice arrived at the port without the necessary permit (authority to import) from the National Food Authority while the other goods were seized for gross misdeclaration, said Jereos.– Jerry Botial