Customs raps 33 importers, 11 brokers
The Bureau of Customs Action Team Against Smugglers has filed charges against 33 importers and 11 customs brokers, mainly for unlawful importation of agricultural products.
The 33 cases were filed from January to date, according to the BoC. of the cases, 22 were for violation of Republic Act 10845, or the Anti-Agricultural Smuggling Act of 2016.
Nine of the cases, involving as many importers and five customers brokers, were filed under the administration of Customs Commissioner Yogi Filemon Ruiz in line with the bureau’s intensified border campaigns.
Cases filed by the BoC have a total dutiable value of P251.61 million, with duties, taxes, and fees amounting to P107.19 million.
Ruiz has ordered strengthened risk profiling and inspection of shipments and warehouses, resulting in the filling of appropriate cases against unscrupulous individuals in line with the directive of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.
The President took on the concurrent post of agriculture secretary to stop agricultural smuggling, provide citizens with affordable farm produce and support local farmers.