Smuggling activities in Zambo declines: BOC

ZAMBOANGA CITY Smuggling activities are reportedly waning in this city as a result of the active coordination between the Bureau of Customs (BOC) and other law enforcement agencies.

Jacob John Andain, Port Operations Division chief, said a Viber group has been created--among representatives from the City Mayor’s Office, Task Force Zamboanga, Customs Police, Coast Guard, intelligence agents and other concerned agencies-to continuously monitor and stop smuggling.

He said the confiscation of smuggled items has declined in recent days “because we have a very active coordination with other law enforcement agencies.”

With regard to the several truckloads of smuggled rice that were intercepted in different checkpoints last week, Andain said those were old stocks, having been imported last year without pertinent documents.

“Those were referred to the BOC and NFA (National Food Authority) for verification of import documents and presentation of proof of payment of duties and taxes,” Andain said.

He said if duties and taxes have been duly paid and all documents are attested and the warehouses, where the rice had been withdrawn from are accredited by NFA, the trucks and their cargoes will then be released with the concurrence of the NFA, the BOC and the apprehending unit.

Meanwhile, the Coast Guard on Friday assigned a patrol vessel to boost the anti-smuggling campaign in this part of the country.

The vessel, BRP-Malamawi, will be jointly operated by the Coast Guard and BOC to address the problems of smuggling, as well as piracy, drug trafficking and other illegal activities - not only here but including in the Basilan, Sulu and Tawi-Tawi (BaSulTa) areas.