P135 million smuggled garlic, onions seized

MANILA, Philippines — Smuggled onions and garlic with an estimated market value of P135 million were seized in Manila and Malabon on Friday, the Philippine National Police (PNP) reported yesterday.

PNP chief Gen. Rodolfo Azurin Jr. said the vegetables were confiscated by operatives of the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG) along with the Bureau of Customs (BOC) and the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG).

“This is a major breakthrough in our fight against illegal activities in the agricultural industry,” Azurin said in a statement.

CIDG director Brig. Gen. Romeo Caramat Jr. said 40 to 50 tons of imported onions and garlic worth P40 million were seized from 23 warehouses in Tondo and Binondo in Manila.

The biggest haul was in Malabon wherein 250 tons of the smuggled vegetables worth P95 million were discovered in a warehouse along Gov. Pascual Avenue in Barangay Catmon.

“The operation was carried out in response to numerous reports of illegal importation and hoarding of agri-products, particularly locally produced onions, and garlic,” Caramat said.

The confiscated goods were sealed and padlocked, while investigations are ongoing to identify the people behind the smuggling of the vegetables.

Azurin said the PNP will continue to work with other government agencies to put a stop to the smuggling of agricultural products in the country.

He urged the public to report illegal activities related to the importation, storage and distribution of agricultural products.

P90.4 million sugar, cigarettes confiscated

Meanwhile, the BOC confiscated at least P90.4 million worth of allegedly smuggled sugar and cigarettes during an inspection of five shipments at the Manila International Container Port (MICP) on Friday.

Three of the shipments came from Hong Kong while the rest originated from China. They arrived in the country between Jan. 5 and Feb. 12, the BOC said.

Newly installed BOC Commissioner Bienvenido Rubio, who led the inspection, was accompanied by MICP district collector Arnold Famor and Intelligence Group deputy commissioner Juvymax Uy.

Uy said that they have been “actively monitoring” information about shipments that possibly contain smuggled goods in an intensified effort to curb the entry of contraband and illegal products into the country.

He said the five shipments will be subjected to seizure and forfeiture proceedings for violating the Customs Modernization and Tariff Act, the Anti-Agricultural Smuggling Act of 2016, Sugar Regulatory Administration rules and regulations and the National Tobacco Administration rules and regulations.

Appropriate charges will also be referred to the Bureau’s Action Team Against Smugglers. – Mark Ernest Villeza, Robertzon Ramirez