BOC files criminal raps vs employees, consignees over MCT smuggling scheme

The Bureau of Customs (BOC), on September 7, filed criminal charges before the Department of Justice against four consignees, customs broker, and five (5) customs employees involved in “swing operation” and “release now and file entry later” schemes at the Mindanao Container Terminal (MCT) - Phividec for violation of Section 1401 (Unlawful Importation) in relation to Section 1424 (Removing Goods from Customs Custody) of the Customs Modernization and Tariff Act (CMTA).

The cases were filed after the discovery of smuggling schemes of unscrupulous importers in connivance with BOC employees at the Sub-Port of Tagoloan, MCTPhividec. The schemes involve the unlawful releasing of containers from Customs before the filing of its entries and before the payment of corresponding duties and taxes.

Under the “swing operation” scheme, shipments were released from Customs custody thru the use of a PreAssessment-Single Administrative Document (SAD) print out from the Value-Added Service Provider (VASP) with stamp of “SUBJECT FOR X-RAY” or “FOR TRANSFER TO MICT-CCA”, then spirited out from the port.

In this method, the release of shipments is without the corresponding import entry being filed; thus, no payment of duties and taxes.

While under the “Release and File Entry Later” scheme, the shipments were immediately released from Customs custody with its corresponding import entry filed several days after the release. This method is adopted to avoid timely detection by alerting offices and proper examination of shipments.

The above charges are filed against the owner of General Success Merchandise, Sherbet Sabillo Alazas, and its licensed customs broker, Raul Mercado De Leon, Jr., the owner of Melea RPL Enterprises, RP Joegen Lisondra, the owner of Mave Trading, Meljane B. Mejos, and the owner of FVV Gracias Enterprises, Francis Victor V. Gracias.

Other personalities indicted are Jose Mari G. Fernandez, the Terminal Manager of Mindanao International Container Terminal, and Customs representative Geneva C. Cedeño, alias “BEBANG”, who personally facilitated the unlawful release of the containers from customs premises.