P8-M ‘hot’ meat, laptops seized

Some P8 million worth of smuggled electronic and animal products were seized recently in separate operations conducted by the Presidential Anti-Smuggling Group (PASG) and the Bureau of Customs (BOC), it was learned yesterday.

PASG chief Undersecretary Antonio Villar said his men seized last Monday a 20-footer van containing 90 laptop computers, 20 digital video cameras, and hospital equipment and supplies at Port of Manila (POM).

Villar said in his accomplishment report that they confiscated the shipment, consigned to DCSB Marketing, after they found it was wrongfully declared as computer parts.

He estimated the price of the seized cargo at P3 million and said the items would be sold off at a public auction after seizure procedures are completed.

“This operation is part of the unceasing effort of PASG not only to help the government increase duty collections, but to stop smuggling the soonest,” Villar said.

He said they will charge the owners of the smuggled items with violating the Tariff and Customs Code of the Philippines (TCCP).

Villar said another 40-footer container van declared to contain computer parts may contain laptop computers and digital cameras instead.

He said the PASG received information that this could be part of the 552 containers that are believed to contain smuggled goods. 

Meanwhile, the BOC Intelligence and the Enforcement Group also reported yesterday the recent seizure of P5 million worth of illegal meat products at the Manila International Container Port (MICP).

Customs Deputy Commissioner Celso Templo said the three container vans loaded with chicken fillet, Peking duck, and beef products were wrongfully declared as general foodstuff from China. The containers were on board the vessel Quingdao Star and consigned to Ideal Gaze Marketing.

Templo said the BOC is keeping a tight watch on imports of vegetable and meat products because the health and safety of the general public is at stake.

He said illegal meat products are misdeclared to avoid payment of higher taxes and circumvent the requirement to secure import permits from the Department of Agriculture. – With Paolo Romero