Tight watch at Customs areas ordered

National Anti-Smuggling Task Force (NASTF) chief Secretary Angelo Reyes yesterday ordered a heightened watch against big smugglers operating inside Customs-controlled areas such as the Manila International Container Port (MICP) and the Port of Manila.

Reyes’ directive stemmed from the seizure of four 40-foot container vans loaded with highly dutiable goods released from the Bureau of Customs (BoC) without undergoing mandatory examination and payment of corresponding duties and taxes.

The hot cargoes were intercepted along Galilee street, inside Multinational Village, Parañaque City and along Delpan Street, Tondo, Manila last June 5 and June 8.

Based on the import entry and internal revenue declaration document received by the BoC, the container van which was intercepted last June 5 by NASTF agents came from Thailand and consigned to Jimbrand Cargo Movers, with office address at Room 600, SL Building, Roxas Boulevard, Manila.

The contents of the van was declared as assorted apparel but when inspected, it was found loaded with Thai rice, motorcycle tires, boxes of chemicals, home ornaments and fixtures, computers, clothes, beauty and health items, motorcycle parts and accessories.

"This is a clear case of misdeclaration," Reyes said. NASTF sources claimed that there is an ongoing investigation to unmask the smugglers’ contacts who facilitated the release of the hot cargoes.

The other three containers came from Vietnam and consigned to J.B. Aguilar Trading, located at 59 Magat Salamat Street, Urduja Village, Caloocan City and were declared to contain 8,898 pairs of shoes and apparel.

"When inspected by Customs examiner Roland Ibarra, it was discovered that the vans were also loaded with 16,500 pairs of shoes, perfumes, food stuff, and apparels which is a clear case of under valuation," Reyes said.

The seized container vans with their hot cargoes were presented to the media yesterday at the NASTF holding area at the old Logistic Command (LogCom) Compound in Camp Aguinaldo in Quezon City.

Sources bared that some corrupt officials and employees at the MICP appeared to have "embedded" themselves in the syndicates’ operations. They vowed that the syndicates’ illegal activities will be unmasked in a matter of time.

They claimed that aside from maintaining unscrupulous individuals to operate inside the MICP and the Port Area, smuggling syndicates also maintain contacts with influential people who wield power and influence, including some members of the judicial system, the media and even Malacañang officials.

"But with the directives of the President we will go after them. We will do this job no matter who will get hurt in the end," stressed a NASTF official.

He said the recent seizure of the hot items was just the beginning of the fight the NASTF is waging to put a stop to the menace that has long been hurting the country’s economy.