More efforts needed to curb smuggling — BoC
The latest interception of shipment included 1,090 master cases of cigarettes with brands such as Marvel, Mighty and Astro
Despite the consecutive interception of goods and equipment illegally brought into the country, including three containers of smuggled luxury vehicles from Japan and Dubai, Bureau of Customs Commissioner (BoC) Rey Leonardo Guerrero admitted his bureau has to do more when it comes to curbing smuggling activities using ocean borders.
This followed the interception of trafficked luxury cars and signature apparel brands, and on Friday, 11 June, P38.1 million worth of cigarettes.
With this, Guerrero vowed to continue putting in place measures and policies that will help curb smuggling in the country.
“I understand what I was facing when I came here. It has been my goal since before I took office to help stop illegal smuggling in the country. It would be a huge benefit to our economy to stop these illegal activities in our ports. We still need to do more, but with the commitment and hard work of our men, we’re hopeful that the day will come that smuggling will be a distant memory,” Guerrero said in a statement.
According to Alvin Enciso, chief of Customs Intelligence and Investigation Service-Manila International Container Port (CIIS-MICP), the latest interception of shipment, which contained 1,090 master cases of cigarettes with brands such as Marvel, Mighty and Astro, consigned to Green Nature Alliance Ventures, is still part of the bureau’s efforts to intensify its anti-smuggling campaign.
Enciso bared the shipment was subjected to a 100 percent physical examination after issuance of a pre-lodgment control order (PLCO) by MICP District Collector Romeo Allan R. Rosales.
“There was already derogatory information before the lodging of goods declaration. That was the basis of the PLCO. We acted on it based on the information that we received,” he added.
The BoC started to implement the PLCO when Commissioner Guerrero took the agency’s helm.
He said it should be used as “an instrument or tool to ensure that the proper method of valuation of goods is being observed.”
Enciso assured that proper processes are being observed as the 100 percent physical examination of the shipment was witnessed by members of the Enforcement and Security Service and Formal Entry Division.
After the examination, a Warrant of Seizure and Detention was issued against the shipment for the possible violation of Section 1400 in relation to Section 1113 of Republic Act 10863, also known as the Customs Modernization and Tariff Act, and the National Tobacco Authority regulations and circulars.