(File photo)
MANILA – The Bureau of Customs (BOC) on Tuesday reported that it has conducted almost 1,000 seizures of smuggled goods worth over PHP10 billion in 2020.
In a statement on Tuesday, the bureau said a total of 997 seizures of illegal items from January to December last year worth PHP10.629 billion were recorded, as a result of its increased intelligence and enforcement operations as well as strengthened examination and inspection at the ports nationwide.
Topping the list of apprehending items is imported cigarettes and tobacco products with 204 seizure cases worth PHP5.774 billion, followed by PHP1.855 billion worth of illegal drugs seized through combined efforts of the BOC and the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA).
Various counterfeit goods amounting to PHP1.056 billion were also confiscated last year.
The bureau also impounded PHP32.585 million worth of various types of undeclared foreign currencies.
The BOC also busted several smuggled personal protective equipment, medical supplies, and cosmetics with an estimated value of PHP196.580 million.
General merchandise worth PHP406.377 million, vehicles and automobile accessories valued at PHP356.532 million, and agricultural products amounting to PHP284.622 million without necessary permits and clearances were likewise seized in 2020.
Other goods seized include PHP236 million worth of food products, PHP168.285 million worth of used clothing, PHP95.174 million worth of electronic products, and PHP66.433 million worth of wildlife & natural resources, steel products worth PHP11.820 million, alcoholic beverages worth PHP2.434 million, pieces of jewelry worth PHP7.280 million, chemicals worth PHP5 million, firearms worth PHP303,000, and other products worth PHP73.949 million.
The BOC has also filed appropriate criminal charges against unscrupulous importers and customs brokers.
From Jan. 1 to Dec. 31 last year, 126 cases were filed, comprised of 74 criminal cases before the Department of Justice and 52 administrative cases before the Professional Regulation Commission (PRC).
The BOC also revoked the accreditation of 575 importers and 148 brokers for violation of Customs and other related laws.
It has also completed the inspection and investigation of a total of 152 Customs Bonded Warehouses and 255 Members of customs common bonded warehouses (CCBWs).
These resulted in the closure of 20 customs-bonded warehouses (CBWs) and 40 members of CCBWs for various violations. (PNA)
