Customs welcomes conviction of 4 ‘smugglers’

AFTER five years of court litigation, the Bureau of Customs last July 25 announced it has secured the conviction of four individuals for involvement in smuggling.

Although their names were not released, the BOC said one person who used ‘YJC International Corporation’ as a “consignee-for-hire,” was meted a sentence of between 12 years to 15 years in prison for each count over the attempted smuggling last January 3. 2021 of 1,599 cartons of cigarettes loaded in 2X40-footer vans declared as “plastic products.”

In the other case, the President, Vice President, and Corporate Secretary of ‘ADN Finest Marketing Corporation’ were convicted for smuggling of motor vehicles from the United Arab Emirates that arrived on May 27, 2021.

“Although the shipment was declared to contain only two vehicles, Customs examination uncovered an undeclared 2020 Chevrolet Camaro ZL1 and 98 unmanifested used tires. The prosecution likewise established that the company had no Certificate of Authority to Import motor vehicles.

Both incidents happened and the cases were filed during the term of retired Armed Forces Chief of Staff Commissioner Rey ‘Jagger’ Guerrero.

“The three corporate officers were each sentenced to an indeterminate penalty of six years and one day to ten years and one day of imprisonment,” the BOC statement reads.

Both incidents happened and the cases were filed during the term of retired Armed Forces Chief of Staff Commissioner Rey ‘Jagger’ Guerrero.

“Malinaw ang mensahe ng mga kasong ito: may kapalit ang paglabag sa batas.

“Hindi lamang namin hinaharang ang mga iligal na kargamento sa ating mga pantalan. Tinitiyak din naming mapapanagot ang mga nasa likod ng mga paglabag upang maprotektahan ang lehitimong negosyo at mapanatili ang patas na kalakalan sa bansa,” said Commissioner Ariel F. Nepomuceno.

Commissioner Nepomuceno also recognized the dedication of the BOC’s Legal Service for its steadfast efforts in pursuing the cases.

He also commended the Department of Justice (DOJ) for its continued partnership and support in securing the convictions.

“Nagpapasalamat ako sa ating Legal Service para sa kanilang walang sawang pagsisikap sa pagsusulong ng mga kasong ito, gayundin sa Department of Justice sa kanilang patuloy na suporta at pakikipagtulungan.

“Ang ganitong koordinasyon ang nagpapatibay sa ating kampanya laban sa smuggling at iba pang paglabag sa batas,” he added.