The Bureau of Customs (BOC) has seized P769.67- million worth of goods in the first six weeks of the year, the Department of Finance said in a statement yesterday.
Preliminary data reported by the BOC showed of the seized goods over the January 1 to February 11 period, vehicles and their accessories accounted for P420 million, followed by cigarettes and other tobacco products worth P221.4 million and illegal drugs estimated at P46 million.
Customs Commissioner Rey Leonardo Guerrero said the BOC has also apprehended P44.8 million-worth of currency, personal protective equipment and other medical supplies valued at P30 million and P6 million-worth of agricultural products.
The other seized items were general merchandise, firearms, wildlife and other products worth P1.5 million.
The BOC also filed 11 criminal cases with the Department of Justice against 30 respondents suspected of involvement in smuggling activities, and another three administrative cases against erring customs brokers before the Professional Regulation Commission.
The BOC has also completed the inspection and investigation of customs warehouses, Guerrero said.
From the total of 138 customs bonded warehouses and 245 members of customs common bonded warehouses, 75 were issued orders of closure as of February 11, he added. – Angela Celis
