P3-M smuggled beer seized in Subic

SUBIC BAY FREEPORT, Philippines – Personnel from the Bureau of Customs (BOC) seized at least P3 million worth of imported beer allegedly smuggled out of the Freeport zone over the weekend.

One thousand cases of Bavaria beer in cans and another 200 cases of bottled beer of the same brand were seized from a Mitsubishi van, said BOC Enforcement and Security Service (ESS) district commander Lt. Paul Oandasan in a report to BOC-Subic district collector Arnulfo Marcos.

The report said the beers were hidden in special compartments inside the van, apparently to avoid paying taxes.

During a surveillance operation, members of the Customs police saw the van stops at a vacant lot in Barangay Barretto, Olongapo City, and several men transfer the beer to another van.

“We waited until (the men) completed loading the beer into the other van, before we declared the operation,” Oandasan said.

He said the identities of those arrested were withheld pending investigation of the case.

Oandasan said the beers were consigned to a registered locator in Subic, identified as Trilink Asia Pacific Inc.