07 Jun P35 Million Worth of Smuggled Ukay-ukay and Spices Confiscated in Tagoloan, MisOr

Mga higala! Over P35 million worth of smuggled ukay-ukay (used clothes) and spices were confiscated yesterday, June 6 at the Mindanao International Container Terminal (MICT) in Tagoloan, Misamis Oriental by the Bureau of Customs (BOC).

Customs Commissioner Isidro Lapeña with other officials. Behind them are the confiscated ukay-ukays worth P25 million. Photos by Menzie Montes-Tapungot.

According to a report by Sunstar, the mentioned items were shipped in 14 container vans and slipped through the Bureau of Customs due to misdeclaration.

Customs workers unloading the shipment of onions mixed in garlic worth P11 million. Photos by Menzie Montes-Tapungot.

5 of the 14 containers were declared to be containing garlic from China worth P11 million, but officials discovered that it was mixed up with onions. Meanwhile, the other 9 container vans from Korea were declared as used bags and shoes worth P25 million, but upon inspection, it turned out to be packages of used clothing (ukay-ukay).

Smuggle onions. Photos by Menzie Montes-Tapungot.

Moreover, Customs Commissioner Isidro Lapeña said that aside from the violation of misdeclaring the items, the shipment will also be seized because onions and the used clothing are prohibited by law due to health issues.

For more details, you can also read this article:

P35-M smuggled items seized

Source: Sunstar

Photos by Menzie Montes-Tapungot