The Bureau of Customs (BOC) has seized more than P8 billion worth of smuggled goods in the first half of 2022, the agency said in a statement yesterday.
From January to June of this year, the BOC’s intelligence and enforcement groups reported 293 seizures of smuggled goods with an estimated value of P8.37 billion.
In terms of value, the top three seized commodities are counterfeit goods amounting to P5.23 billion, illegal drugs amounting to P1.67 billion and general merchandise which amounted to P388.8 million.
In addition, 58 Letters of Authority were implemented for the same period, 44 of which yielded positive results.
The BOC said 78 alert orders were issued, 57 of which were positive for violation of pertinent customs laws, rules and regulations.
“The BOC assures the public that it will continue to intensify its border protection efforts to protect the country against the entry of illicit goods,” the agency said.
In a separate statement, the BOC said it has strengthened its anti-corruption and integrity campaign as 67 show cause orders were issued from January to June 2022. This led to the dismissal, suspension, relief and reshuffling of errant customs employees.
The customs intelligence and investigation service conducted 333 personnel investigations under the same timeline which resulted in seven filed administrative cases before the BOC-Legal Service and another seven cases transmitted to the National Bureau of Investigation.
The BOC also said three personnel were already dismissed, seven were suspended, one reprimanded and 27 relieved while 249 employees were reshuffled to various offices and ports within the first half of the year due to irregular activities.
