BOC starts probing release of cyanide shipment

CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY, Philippines – The Bureau of Customs (BOC) has started investigating the questionable release of seven shipping containers of sodium cyanide from the Mindanao International Container Terminal (MICT) in this city.

The probe is being conducted by investigators from the Customs Intelligence and Investigation Services (CIIS) based in Manila, who were dispatched to this city to look into the matter.

Alvin Enciso, BOC Region 10 intelligence officer and acting CIIS-CDO chief, said the probe team issued a subpoena to the MICT manager.

An alert order was issued against the shipment on Oct. 26 after the BOC received reports that it was undervalued and lacked permits from the local office of the Environment Management Bureau.

“The investigation will run for a week,” Enciso said.

Despite the issuance of the alert order, he said the shipment disappeared from the port.

BOC officials at the MICT denied the release was unauthorized, saying the alert order was not reflected in their computer system.