Customs chief urges PASG to turn over smuggled jewelry

MANILA, Philippines - Bureau of Customs Commissioner Napoleon Morales urged the Presidential Anti-Smuggling Group to turnover the half a billion worth of smuggled jewelry and precious gemstones for public auction.

“Also before the BOC accepts them and conduct an inventory, we would first have to hire the services of a gemologist, who would determine if the confiscated items were real or mere imitations,” he said.

If they are confirmed to be precious stones, the Customs could then put them up for auction to add revenue for the government.

Morales said they are also planning to file charges of smuggling against British national Alpha Kwok.

PASG operatives seized from Kwok about half a billion pesos worth of diamonds, assorted jewelry and wristwatches believed to have been smuggled into the country from Hong Kong.

The alleged smuggled goods were seized on Wednesday from Kwok’s three condominium units on the 17th floor of Pacific Place, Amethyst St., Pearl Drive, Ortigas Center in Pasig City. Morales noted Kwok had allegedly admitted selling to the local market pieces of jewelry and precious gemstones without paying the correct duties and taxes.

He said Kwok could be charged for smuggling, based on the confessions she allegedly made to the PASG. Kwok reportedly admitted before a PASG agent that her gems came from Hong Kong and that she was able to sell them in the Philippines at a lower price since she is not paying any duties and taxes in importing them.

Morales noted Kwok had been in and out of the country over 320 times since 1993, based on the records provided by the Bureau of Immigration. Officials said Kwok might have slipped the jewelry by simply wearing them.

Difficulty

Morales admitted it would be a difficult undertaking to monitor smuggled jewelry since the supposed courier wears them as part of his or her own personal belongings.

He added the difficulty of detecting precious stones on a passenger. “Even if the person carrying the smuggled gemstones pass through a metal detector, it would not raise an alarm,” Morales said.

Morales said other law enforcement agencies have encountered the same difficulty of detecting precious stones and gems on a person. This dilemma is experienced by other Customs agencies in other countries as well, he said.

He said the government could learn from Kwok on how she was able to smuggle the items and sell them for profit.

The government could also run after the outlets that bought the precious stones and gems from Kwok and demand any receipt as a proof of legal purchase.

The PASG had noted Kwok is allegedly the sole supplier of imported precious stones, jewelry and watches of several stores and outlets in Metro Manila.

Kwok supposedly supplies regular clients, some of whom are spouses of politicians, businessmen and prominent people in the entertainment industry.                     – With Paolo Romero