MAJOR ANTI-SMUGGLING GAINS UNDER NEW BOC LEADERSHIP CITED

THE new leadership of the Bureau of Customs under Commissioner Ariel F. Nepomuceno cited major accomplishments in its anti-smuggling drive over the past two months with more than P2.39 billion in confiscated goods and contraband with nearly half of the total involving illegal drugs.

In a statement on September 22 summarizing its border protection activities, the BOC said it carried out 128 enforcement operations spearheaded by the Intelligence Group under Deputy Commissioner Romeo Rosales and the Enforcement Group under retired police general Deputy Commissioner Nolasco Bathan.

Both joined Commissioner Nepomuceno as part of his ‘Reform Team’ when President Marcos Jr. appointed him as customs commissioner last July 1.

Of the total, P1.230 billion consisted of illegal drugs intercepted in the country’s various entry points while P929 million worth of illicit cigarettes, tobacco, and vape products were also seized, along with ₱178 million worth of assorted agricultural products.

In close coordination with the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA), the BOC last July 17, intercepted 110.24 kilos of shabu valued at P749.63 million at the Manila International Container Port (MICP), the largest drug seizure thus far this year.

In another operation last August 22 at an industrial warehouse in Plaridel, Bulacan, smuggled cigarettes worth ₱605.29 million from China and Vietnam were also seized, also the biggest thus far for tobacco products this year.

Through active coordination with the Department of Agriculture (DA), the BOC also seized over ₱178 million worth of fishery goods, onions, carrots, poultry, and sugar for the same period.

These major accomplishments complemented Comm. Nepomuceno’s policy directives stopping the serving of ‘LOAs’ (letters of authority) and “MOs’ (mission orders) left over from his predecessor to restore discipline in field operations and prevent unauthorized enforcement activities.

In a memorandum also last July 17, Comm. Nepomuceno directed all customs officials and employees to disclose their connection and financial interests to any customs brokerage in line with his anti-conflict of interest (COIN) policy.

In the same time frame, the BOC, thru the EG and the IG was also lauded by lawmakers for its determined effort in recovering the 30 luxury vehicles owned by the Discaya couple who are now under investigation in connection with the multi-billion flood control project scandal.