The Bureau of Customs seized more than P19 million worth smuggled luxury cars, auto spare parts, onions and carrots at the Manila International Container Port.
Customs Commissioner Isidro Lapeña said the bureau confiscated two luxury cars, auto parts, red and white onions, carrots and other agricultural products which came from China and Hong Kong.
“The two Mercedes Benz’s, wheels and tires came from Hong Kong while five containers of red and white onions, carrots and other agricultural products came from mainland China,” he said.
The car shipment was shipments consigned to Juljerjac Trading while the agricultural products were imported by V2Y International Marketing Co.
“The shipment’s declaration said it contains fresh garlic and apples, however, upon examination, red and white onions, carrots, and garlic were found inside the container vans,” MICP district collector Vincent Philip Maronilla said.
The declared garlic was covered by a valid import permit from the Bureau of Plant and Industry while the red and white onions and carrots were misdeclared and did not have an import permit, prompting the BoC to issue a warrant and seizure for detention.
“The consignee, V2Y International Marketing Co., wrote a letter informing Customs Intelligence that the shipments do not belong to them,” said Lapeña, citing a report.
“This is actually a protection to our farmers since they also produce red onion. Importing onions is regulated by law because they will be a strong competitor to our local farmers who also produce onion. For the carrot, it will also be seized for misdeclaration,” Lapeña said.
“It’s such a waste. However, we cannot set aside the health and safety of the public so this will be destroyed by the bureau,” Lapeña added.
