Four Convicted of Smuggling, Face Up to 15 Years in Prison

MANILA, Philippines — The Bureau of Customs (BOC) announced it has secured the conviction of four individuals in two separate smuggling cases before the Regional Trial Court of Manila, with prison terms of up to 15 years imposed for the unlawful importation of cigarettes and motor vehicles. The convictions, according to the BOC, reinforce its commitment to protecting government revenues, strengthening border security, supporting legitimate businesses, and holding those involved in illicit trade accountable. In the first case, the court convicted an individual for using YJC International Corporation as a consignee-for-hire in the unlawful importation of two 40-foot containers from China that arrived on Jan. 3, 2021. The shipment was falsely declared to contain plastic products. During a physical examination, Customs authorities discovered 1,599 cartons of cigarettes concealed among the declared goods without the required import commodity clearances. The accused was sentenced to an indeterminate prison term of 12 years and one day to 15 years and one day for each count. In a separate case, the court convicted the president, vice president, and corporate secretary of ADNFinest Marketing Corporation for their participation in the unlawful importation of motor vehicles from Dubai, the United Arab Emirates, that arrived on May 27, 2021. Although the shipment was declared to contain only two vehicles, Customs examiners uncovered an undeclared 2020 Chevrolet Camaro ZL1 and 98 unmanifested used tires. Prosecutors also established that the company had no Certificate of Authority to Import motor vehicles. Each of the three corporate officers was sentenced to an indeterminate prison term of six years and one day to 10 years and one day. "Malinaw ang mensahe ng mga kasong ito: may kapalit ang paglabag sa batas. Hindi lamang namin hinaharang ang mga iligal na kargamento sa ating mga pantalan. Tinitiyak din naming mapapanagot ang mga nasa likod ng mga paglabag upang maprotektahan ang lehitimong negosyo at mapanatili ang patas na kalakalan sa bansa," Commissioner Ariel Nepomuceno said. The BOC filed criminal charges in both cases in 2021, the same year the unlawful importations took place, underscoring the Bureau's swift response to customs violations. Nepomuceno also commended the BOC Legal Service for its sustained efforts in prosecuting the cases and thanked the Department of Justice (DOJ) for its continued partnership in securing the convictions. "Nagpapasalamat ako sa ating Legal Service para sa kanilang walang sawang pagsisikap sa pagsusulong ng mga kasong ito, gayundin sa Department of Justice sa kanilang patuloy na suporta at pakikipagtulungan. Ang ganitong koordinasyon ang nagpapatibay sa ating kampanya laban sa smuggling at iba pang paglabag sa batas," he added. In line with the directive of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. to intensify the government's campaign against smuggling and protect the country's economic interests, the BOC said it will continue strengthening border enforcement, pursuing criminal cases against violators, and working closely with partner agencies to safeguard legitimate trade. (Contributed story)