DA, PNP intensify crackdown on agri-smuggling

The Department of Agriculture (DA) and the Philippine National Police (PNP) are intensifying their nationwide crackdown against agricultural smuggling, following the discovery of suspected smuggled red onions in Manila's Paco public market.

Agriculture Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr. confirmed that the DA had not issued any import clearance for the onions, stating that all imported onions found in markets since early this year are smuggled.

The operation, directed by President Bongbong Marcos, aims to target the 'big fish' and warehouses storing smuggled goods, rather than retailers.

The DA will conduct lab testing on seized onions to check for public health threats, as previous inspections found traces of E. coli and heavy metals in smuggled white onions.

Additionally, the DA is considering training police officers to better distinguish between locally produced and imported agricultural products, including pork.