MANILA, Philippines — The Bureau of Customs (BOC) recently confiscated P8.65 million worth of smuggled glutathione and beauty products at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA).
Customs Commissioner Isidro Lapeña said BOC personnel intercepted packages from Bangkok containing 2,047 kilograms of the contraband.
The shipment, which was declared as personal items, was consigned to James Halasan of Quezon City.
Customs broker Isagani Cortez allegedly facilitiated the release of the cargo.
Halasan and Cortez violated the Tariff and Customs Code of the Philippines, the BOC said.
Lapeña said the smuggled items were discovered after Customs examiners checked the packages in the presence of personnel of the Enforcement and Security Service, X-ray Inspection Project and Customs Anti-Illegal Drugs Task Force.
Another shipment containing beauty products was placed on hold by the BOC.
“The BOC has issued an alert order for the smuggled items,” Lapeña said.