BOC seizes P5.55M from Japanese passenger at MCIA

Bureau of Customs (BOC) operatives at the Mactan-Cebu International Airport successfully foiled an attempt by a Japanese passenger to smuggle P5.6 million in cash out of the country.

The passenger had only declared P50,000, falling short of the legal requirement to declare amounts exceeding this sum.

Philippine law requires travelers carrying more than P50,000 in cash to obtain prior written authorization from the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas.

The BOC returned the declared P50,000 to the passenger, while the remaining P5.55 million was confiscated.

The confiscated amount was issued a held baggage receipt and is subject to a warrant of seizure and detention order.

Felipe Geoffrey de Vera, district collector of the port of Cebu, stated that the seizure demonstrates the BOC's adherence to customs regulations and its commitment to safeguarding the nation's ports.