P35 million smuggled agri goods destroyed; stalled truck yields P5.9 million cigarettes

THE Port of Subic under Collector Noel Estanislao announced the condemnation of P35 million worth of smuggled agricultural products to protect public health.

In a statement, the agency said the disposal of the goods “by dumping” took place last August 15.

The shipments on board 5 container vans contained assorted frozen meat, fish, preserved fruits, vegetables, and other perishable items. They were earlier forfeited in favor of the government for lack of a phytosanitary certificate when they arrived, which is a violation of the law.

“This measure safeguards the consumer from health risks posed by unsafe, unregulated, and illegally imported food products,” said Bureau of Customs Commissioner Ariel F. Nepomuceno in a brief statement.

Meanwhile, a stalled delivery truck in Makilala, North Cotabato was seized by the authorities on August 14, after it yielded 150 master cases of smuggled cigarettes worth more than P5.9 million.

Acting Subport Collector Ralph S. Rojo, in his report to Port of Davao District Collector Maita S. Acevedo, said they immediately activated the local inter-agency task force composed of the Customs Intelligence and Investigation Service (CIIS), Enforcement and Security Service (ESS/Customs Police), Philippine National Police (PNP) and the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) to check on the vehicle.

A “derogatory information” disclosed that the stalled wing van truck, which was left partially open, revealed boxes of cigarettes hidden behind sacks of rice hulls.

The truck and the smuggled cigarettes along with the driver and his companion were brought to General Santos City for further investigation.

The driver and his companion who were not named are in the custody of the local police pending the filing of appropriate charges.