(Photo courtesy of BOC)
MANILA – Customs officers have discovered a stash of purportedly smuggled smart television (TV) sets and computer systems with an estimated value of PHP20 million inside a warehouse in Bulacan province.
In a statement Wednesday, the Bureau of Customs (BOC) reported that the composite team led by Customs Intelligence and Investigation Service (CIIS) - Port of Manila served the Letter of Authority (LOA) signed by Commissioner Bienvenido Rubio to representatives of ECOM Electronics Reconditioning Services located at RIS Industrial Complex in Guiguinto town on March 21.
The LOA was issued based on derogatory information received about the subject warehouse.
Upon inspection, the group discovered assorted televisions of different sizes, machines used for lamination, boxes used for packaging, and raw materials for reconditioning and repair.
Following the inventory, the Customs implementing team temporarily secured the storage facility with BOC seals and posted 24/7 duty detail at the entrance and exit gates of the warehouse.
The owners are required to present importation documents or proof of payment of the items in the warehouse.
If found to be without the proper import documents, the contents of the warehouse may be subject to seizure and forfeiture proceedings for violation of Section 1400 (Misdeclaration in Goods Declaration) in relation to Section 1113 (Property Subject to Seizure and Forfeiture) of Republic Act No. 10863, known as the Customs Modernization and Tariff Act (CMTA).
"This marks another successful effort in combating smuggling activities and upholding customs regulations in the country. The BOC remains committed to safeguarding the nation's borders and ensuring compliance with importation laws," he added.
Rubio then urged all businesses and individuals to comply with customs regulations and refrain from engaging in illegal activities. (PNA)
