Customs seizes 1244-M smuggled PPEs, medical supplies since March lockdown

The Bureau of Customs seized illicit personal protective equipments (PPEs) and other medical supplies from unscrupulous traders who took advantage of the coronavirus-induced crisis to smuggle these items into the country, the Department of Finance (DOF) said.

In a Customs report submitted to Finance Secretary Carlos G. Dominguez III, about 1244 million worth of smuggled, unregistered or counterfeit PPEs and other medical supplies were confiscated by the bureau between March 25 and May 31 this year.

Customs Commissioner Rey Leonardo Guerrero said he has issued 10 Letters of Authority covering the inspection of persons and premises suspected of selling or storing smuggled and unregistered medicines and equipment from March 25 to May 31, 2020.

While the bureau had issued various regulations to facilitate and speed up the process of importing PPEs and other medical supplies, Guerrero said their efforts to stop the illegal importation, storage and hoarding of these essential goods remain tight.

“Moreover, profiling/targeting of imported shipments suspected to contain contraband and other smuggled articles were intensified. As a result a total of 1244.4 million worth of smuggled/counterfeit/ unregistered PPE and medicines were seized by the Bureau,” Guerrero said.

On May 1, various pieces of PPEs and Chinese medicines supposed to cure COVID-19 and estimated to cost around 170 million were seized by Customs in a warehouse in Singalong, Manila.

Guerrero said in his report that the medicines, which were contained in about 360 boxes, were not registered with the Food and Drug Administration (FDA).

Aside from these unregistered items, Guerrero also said that Customs seized masks, gloves, goggles, alcohol, thermal scanners, test tubes and syringes after a series operations in several locations in Manila.

“The cases involving these smuggled or unregistered products are now the subject of forfeiture proceedings by the BOC before the law division of the Manila International Container Port (MICP),” Guerrero said.

He said that aside from these items, the Customs has also seized 2.2 kilograms of imported Chinese medicines without FDA clearance last April 27, and has initiated the filing of appropriate charges against their importers and consignees.