September 9, 2024 | 12:00am
MANILA, Philippines — Smuggled frozen meat products from China worth P85 million were confiscated recently at a warehouse in Parañaque, according to the Bureau of Customs (BOC).
“The audacity of these people to smuggle and hide agricultural products in Metro Manila is beyond us. They belittle our laws and make a mockery of Customs agents by thinking they can do illegal activities just a few kilometers from our port,” Customs Commissioner Bienvenido Rubio said.
Frozen duck, chicken, pork and other food items with Chinese markings were allegedly imported without payment of customs duties and taxes.
A composite team from the Customs Intelligence and Investigation Service-Manila International Container Port, Department of Agriculture and Philippine Coast Guard inspected the warehouse on Sept. 5.
The warehouse was padlocked to protect the products that will undergo final inventory, BOC officials said.
The BOC said owners of the warehouse have 15 days to present proper documents and prove they were not hoarding illegally imported agricultural products.
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