BOC seizes P30-M produce

The Bureau of Customs (BOC) confiscated yesterday P30.2 million worth of onions and ginger allegedly smuggled from three Asian countries.

BOC Commissioner Napoleon Morales said the shipment, stored in 30 40-footer containers, arrived at the Manila International Container Port at the North Harbor in Manila. They discovered P22.7 million worth of onions and P7.5 million worth of ginger.

Six of the seized containers, consigned to Kaizer Trading Co., arrived last May 11 from India. Four days later, eight other containers, reportedly consigned to Mel Container Lines, arrived from Keelung, Taiwan.

On May 26, 14 more containers came from India, consigned to Rell International Trading. Two other containers arrived from Hong Kong on June 1.

All the consignees reportedly denied ownership of the cargo, but BOC intelligence chief Dino Tuason said they will still verify the consignees’ claims.       – Evelyn Macairan