BOC to ramp up anti-smuggling drive in Zamboanga

ZAMBOANGA CITY -- The Bureau of Customs (BOC) is set to acquire two speedboats to strengthen its anti-smuggling campaign in this southern port city.

Lawyer Lyceo Martinez, BOC district collector, told the Philippine News Agency (PNA) on Thursday that the speedboats will be acquired through the BOC central office and is expected to arrive anytime.

Martinez said they will enter into a memorandum of agreement (MOA) with other concerned government agencies to assist them in their anti-smuggling campaign.

The BOC, he said, has sole jurisdiction over the anti-smuggling campaign, the reason why there is a need for a formal partnership agreement with other government agencies.

A marine unit will also be activated to conduct sea patrol together with the police, military and other law enforcement agencies.

The Philippine Coast Guard and Naval Forces Western Mindanao have recently intercepted shipments of smuggled rice worth millions of pesos. (PNA)