Customs and airport authorities have tightened their watch on balikbayan boxes arriving at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport as criminal syndicates continue using this shipment as conduits for smuggling.
On Tuesday, Customs officials, led by Commissioner Isidro Lapeña Jr. presented to members of the media P40 million worth of several balikbayan boxes containing unsafe beauty products, China-made rubber shoes and skimming devices intercepted at the Naia.
Some of the boxes came from Abu Dhabi and seized at the airport’s air cargo warehouse have been found containing 6,500 pieces of cosmetics and skin care products—cream, lotion, soap, and make-up kits, mostly made by a product name Goree, which the authorities described as unsafe and toxic due to high levels of mercury.
“These non-Food and Administration Agency [FDA] approved beauty products were disguised as balikbayan boxes declared to contain personal effects and household goods, consigned to Associated Freight Consolidators and other multiple consignees,” Lapeña said.
Lapena said on October 30, 2017, the FDA has released a public advisory prohibiting the use and distribution of Goree products which were found to contain toxic mercury levels beyond the 1 parts per million (ppm) limit set by the agency. He added this was validated through a chemical screening conducted by environmental group Ecowaste Coalition, a non-governmental organization.
