Customs files charges vs 14 over P17.5M smuggled vegetables

The Bureau of Customs (BOC) on Tuesday sued 14 individuals, including its own personnel and a trading firm, over the illegal shipment of P17.5 million worth of onions and carrots that had been misdeclared as “chicken lollipops.” Customs Commissioner Ariel Nepomuceno led the filing of six criminal complaints before the Department of Justice against Berches Trading and its representatives, along with BOC personnel. "We are serious in our campaign against smuggling and corruption. We will not hesitate to file charges against anyone involved, whether they are from the private sector or within the Bureau," Nepomuceno said. The BOC said the shipment was declared as “chicken lollipops” but upon inspection, it was found to be onions and carrots. The agency emphasized that the misdeclaration is a clear violation of the Customs Modernization and Tariff Act (CMTA) and other relevant laws. "This is a blow to our local farmers. We need to protect them from unfair competition brought about by illegal importations," Nepomuceno added. The BOC has been intensifying its efforts to curb agricultural smuggling, which has been a perennial problem in the country, impacting the livelihood of local farmers and the stability of food prices. Information Source: Inquirer NewsInfo