P9 million smuggled onions, carrots seized by BOC

MANILA, Philippines — An estimated P9 million worth of red onions, carrots, ginger and mung beans believed to have been smuggled into the country were confiscated by the Bureau of Customs (BOC) at a warehouse in Barangay Ugong, Valenzuela City last week.

Customs Deputy Commissioner for Intelligence Raniel Ramiro said they conducted the operation after handing over a letter of authority to the representative of the warehouse where at least 8,000 sacks of agricultural products were seized.

The warehouse is allegedly owned by Morehouse Marketing. 

Ramiro said the operation was conducted in coordination with Manila International Container Port - Customs Intelligence and Investigation Service and Philippine Coast Guard.

Meanwhile, some 3,865 Ecstasy tablets valued at P6.570 million were confiscated by authorities at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport on Wednesday.

The shipment arrived at the Central Mail Exchange Center from Germany last August and declared as metal sheets weighing 5.5 kilos, BOC district collector Mimel Talusan said.

The Ecstasy tablets were turned over to the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency.

Charges of violation of Republic Act 9165 or the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act and Customs Modernization and Tariff Act will be filed against those responsible for the drug shipment, according to the BOC.