Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, January 10) – Authorities have seized ₱78.9 million worth of illegally imported agricultural products in four separate operations at the Manila International Container Port, the Department of Agriculture reported on Tuesday.
Smuggled fresh red and white onions amounting to ₱25.3 million were discovered in three container vans from Taculog J International Consumer Goods Trading on Dec. 27.
On Jan. 3, five containers from Taculog J International Consumer Goods Trading and Hutchison Jardine Trading Corporation yielded ₱27.8 million worth of contrabands — specifically fresh red and white onions, frozen pork stomach pouch cuts, and frozen boneless beef shanks.
The next day, Jan. 4, ₱23.58 million worth of illegally imported red onions were also discovered in three container vans from Asterzenmed, Inc.
READ: Over ₱200,000 worth of smuggled yellow onions seized
During the latest reported operation on Jan. 5, authorities thwarted the entry of ₱2.2 million worth of fresh carrots also from Asterzenmed, Inc.
Assistant Secretary for DA Inspectorate and Enforcement James Layug said intelligence operations for shipments under the three offending consignees are ongoing.
He said the department is set to file charges against the illegal importers for violating the Food Safety Act of 2013 (Republic Act No. 10611) and the Anti-Agricultural Smuggling Act of 2016 (Republic Act No. 10845).
According to the Anti-Agricultural Smuggling Act, large-scale agricultural smuggling occurs when at least ₱10 million worth of rice or at least ₱1 million worth of sugar, corn, pork, poultry, garlic, onion, carrots, fish, and cruciferous vegetables (raw, processed, or preserved) are illegally brought into the country.
READ: BOC seizes ₱20-M smuggled onions in Misamis Oriental
The operations were jointly conducted with the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) and the Bureau of Customs (BOC) from December 2022 to January 2023.
