Bureau of Customs seizes P14-million 'hot' chargers, lighters

MANILA, Philippines - Personnel from the Bureau of Customs-Run After The Smugglers (BOC-RATS) confiscated an estimated P14 million worth of cigarette lighters and cellphone chargers and accessories believed to have been smuggled in from China.

BOC Commissioner Napoleon Morales said yesterday their agents spotted two container vans at the Port of Manila that were later found to carry misdeclared items.

The lighters were in a 40-footer container van that was made to appear to hold nebulizers. Morales said the government imposes a one-percent tariff on medical supplies and devices, while lighters are subject to a 10-percent tax. The lighters, estimated to be worth P10.3 million, was reportedly misdeclared by customs broker Roilan Altamira.

The shipment was consigned to Sea Dragon Trading, owned by a certain Cecille Mendoza, who denied any knowledge of the shipment and accused Altamira of reportedly conniving with customs officials to smuggle the lighters.

The second 40-footer container van was made to appear to contain office and school supplies and furniture such as rack stands, filing cabinets, paper trays, and packaging materials.

The van was found to contain P3.7 million worth of mobile phone battery chargers, batteries, and earphones. It was consigned to Echolane International Trading, with Adolfo Pineda as its customs broker.

Morales said the shipment was brought in without an import permit from the National Telecommunications Commission (NTC) and was not cleared by the Bureau of Product Standards.

Echolane is reportedly not authorized by the NTC to import mobile phones, parts and accessories.

He told the RATS personnel to conclude their investigation and file appropriate criminal and administrative charges against the individuals linked to the smuggling attempt.