BOC seizes 20 all-terrain vehicles, apparel

MANILA, Philippines - The Bureau of Customs (BOC) seized yesterday 20 all-terrain vehicles, boxes of medicine and two generators.

The goods, worth around P45 million, were found in four shipping containers at the Port of Manila.

The all-terrain vehicles, worth P3 million, were brought in from China and consigned to Hello Multi-Sales Ventures.

The bureau said the shipping containers also held P7 million in watches, bags and shirts.

Commissioner Rufino Biazon said he plans to use the two generator sets as back-up power supply for the bureau’s information technology system.

The purchase of generators is “not included in our budget,” he added.

Biazon said the generator sets, which came from China, were reportedly misdeclared as pliers, hand stools and generating sets accessories. The shipment, valued at P35 million, was consigned to Sharan Enterprises Inc.

The BOC also seized boxes of paracetamol and analgesic drugs that were reportedly imported from Cambodia and Brunei. They were allegedly consigned to Isidro Faderguya and 12:24 Cargo Express.

The medicine is not certified safe for human consumption by the Food and Drugs Administration, the BOC said.