BOC confiscates P44.5 B worth of smuggled goods in 2017

The Bureau of Customs (BOC) reported Tuesday it has seized P44.517 billion worth of smuggled goods in 2017.

According to its accomplishment summary, the BOC said its intensified antismuggling efforts resulted in P44.517 billion worth of apprehended smuggled goods into the country last year.

The BOC said the largest portion, or P30.2 billion of the amount, came in the form of agricultural products.

This was followed by counterfeit goods amounting to P6.8 billion, and illegal drugs totaling P6.63 billion.

Other apprehended products include P599 million in vessels, yacht, barge, and aircraft, P150.47 million in vehicles and automobiles, P43 million in electronics, P15.5 million in general merchandise, P11 million worth of steel products, P4 million in chemicals, P3.2 million in cement and P61.4 million other products.

For 2018, the BOC said it has so far seized P13 million worth of smuggled goods and P253 million worth of illegal drugs.

Meanwhile, the BOC said it has filed cases against 12 importers before the Department of Justice for violating customs and tariff laws last year.

This year, two companies were already charged with smuggling cases.

The BOC said a total of 204 importers and 94 customs brokers were also suspended for breaking customs laws.

Upon his assumption to office, Customs commissioner Isidro Lapena laid out his five-point reform program for the BOC, one of which is a strengthened anti-smuggling initiative.

In line with this, Lapena has abolished the BOC Command Center and reverted the authority to issue alert orders to district collectors.