The Bureau of Customs (BOC) on Sunday uncovered nearly P2 billion worth of illegal goods, including dried tobacco, counterfeit products, and used clothing, in a series of operations at several warehouses in Bulacan.
The three-day operation, conducted by the Manila International Container Port-Customs Intelligence and Investigation Service (MICP-CIIS), was aimed at curbing smuggling activities. BOC Commissioner Bien Rubio commended the efforts of the team, saying, “Big operations like these take a lot of time and resources, but as a testament to the enduring commitment of our officers, we were able to inspect many warehouses in three days and seize a staggering amount of smuggled goods.”
The first inspection yielded a range of suspected counterfeit and smuggled items, including used clothing, used shoes, branded bags, toys, electronics, and general merchandise. BOC officials estimated the value of the confiscated goods at around P1.25 billion, according to CIIS director Verne Enciso.
The second round of inspections days later revealed large quantities of dried tobacco and cigarette filter rods hidden in a separate warehouse. The BOC estimated the tobacco haul could be used to produce approximately P694.4 million worth of cigarettes.
Enciso explained that when the team returned to the warehouse on 8 November, the site had been locked and no representative was available to acknowledge the Letter of Authority (LOA). But with the help of barangay and compound representatives, the team was able to gain access and uncover raw materials for tobacco production.
The BOC has placed temporary padlocks on the warehouses while an inventory of the goods is being conducted. According to BOC deputy commissioner for Intelligence, Juvymax Uy, the owners of the warehouses have 15 days from the service of the LOA to submit documentation proving that the imported goods were legally acquired and that appropriate duties and taxes were paid.
“We ensure that every operation follows the proper procedures,” said Uy. “An operation can only be successful if we are able to file and pursue legal cases against those involved in smuggling. Warehouse owners will be given the opportunity to provide proof of legitimate imports, and failure to do so will lead to charges of misdeclaration and the forfeiture of the goods.”
The BOC plans to file charges against the owners of the dried tobacco products under Republic Act No. 12022, also known as the Anti-Agricultural Economic Sabotage Act. The law classifies agricultural smuggling as economic sabotage, with penalties for hoarding, profiteering, and cartels involved in the illicit trade.
