Customs to file charges vs importers of undeclared elephant tusks

MANILA, Philippines – Bureau of Customs Commissioner Napoleon Morales yesterday ordered the filing of criminal charges against the importer and the Customs broker who may have facilitated the alleged smuggling of an estimated P100 million worth of ivory elephant tusks from Tanzania.

Morales said that they would file criminal charges against 201 Enterprises that is located along Ermita, Manila and Marilyn Pacheco located at 501 Center Building, Ermita, Manila, the consignee and Customs broker, respectively, in the shipment that came in on March 1. They reportedly violated Section 2530 of the Tariffs and Customs Code of the Philippines, as amended in relation to RA 9147 otherwise known as the Wildlife Resources Conservation Act, and the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species (CITES) of Wild Fauna and Flora of which the Philippines is a signatory.

After yesterday’s full view inspection, Morales also ordered the cancellation of their accreditation and their inclusion in the agency’s blacklist to prevent them from making further transactions with the BOC. Only the first shipment dated March 1 had an Import Entry Document. As of the second shipment dated March 4, Morales said “we would issue a subpoena to the shipping lines (President Container Lines) to know the real consignee.”

Morales said it was unlikely that Customs personnel were involved since they immediately issued an alert order upon the arrival of the shipments. 

Department of Environment and Natural Resources Secretary Lito Atienza would follow the moves of the BOC.

“The DENR would also file charges against those responsible for bringing these ivory tusks into the country.” Morales and Atienza yesterday morning conducted a full viewing inspection on the two 20 footer container vans that arrived at the Port of Manila on March 1 and March 4.

Joint inventory

To prevent the tusks that arrived in March from disappearing, the BOC and the DENR would conduct a joint inventory. Every item would be weighed and measured before they are turned over to the custody of the DENR. “We would take care of them and we would coordinate with the concerned agencies and even with non-government organizations such as the World Wildlife Fund (WWF). This is to erase doubt that the items would be stolen. The more people who know about it, the more we would be able to increase its security,” said Atienza.

For his part, BOC-Enforcement and Security Service (ESS) deputy director Chief Superintendent Jose Yuchongco earlier said that the first shipment was a blow molding machine, while the second cargo reportedly contained recycle wasted plastic. Atienza said he supported the theory of Yuchongco that the Philippines might have been used as a transshipment point for tusks. They arrive in the country as raw materials then exported to neighboring countries as finished goods such as religious items, artifacts and even mahjong tiles. – With AFP