The Bureau of Customs (BOC), in close collaboration with the Department of Agriculture (DA), successfully prevented the entry of unlawfully imported agricultural products into the country.
The unlawful importation of a shipment from Thailand, consisting of 3,200 cartons of fresh oranges valued at P8.422 million, was prevented at Manila International Container Port (MICP) after it was found that the required import sanitary clearance from the Bureau of Plant Industry did not cover the shipment.
The unlawful importation of the subject oranges was halted due to the timely derogatory information shared by the Department of Agriculture (DA) 's Bureau of Plant Industry (BPI) that the shipment lacked the mandatory Sanitary and Phytosanitary Import Clearance (SPSIC).
This coordinated effort involved BOC agents from MICP, BPI officers, and the DA's Inspectorate and Enforcement Unit members. Their prompt actions prevented the entry of subject oranges, which are not only deemed unsafe for human consumption but also endanger the country's local ecology due to the absence of the required SPSIC, which safeguards the nation's border against possible entry of infested and/or contaminated agricultural products.
Representatives from the Customs Intelligence and Investigation Services, the Enforcement and Security Service, the Customs Anti-Illegal Drug Task Force, the X-ray Inspection Project, and the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) were present during the 100% physical examination of the subject goods. In addition, PDEA personnel K-9-swept the undocumented oranges; however, no dangerous drugs were found in the shipment.
The confiscated oranges will be subjected to condemnation proceedings by DA Department Order No. 09, in 2010, to ensure that said goods do not reach the local market. This underscores the commitment of the BOC and DA-BPI to protect the country's borders and prevent the entry of unsafe and illegally imported agricultural products.
The case records of the subject importation were also referred to the Bureau Action Team Against Smuggling for case build-up and eventual prosecution of personalities behind the halted unlawful importation of agricultural products, as may be warranted by collated evidence.
Under the leadership of District Collector Carmelita M. Talusan, the MICP continues to enhance its vigilance against illicit goods and strengthen its partnerships with other agencies. This effort is aligned with BOC Commissioner Bienvenido Y. Rubio's commitment to President Ferdinand Romualdez Marcos' directive to combat smuggling and protect the health and safety of the public.
Meanwhile, the BOC and DA continue to enhance their efforts to secure the country's borders, ensuring that unlawfully imported and potentially harmful products will not increase our local markets.
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