P202 million misdeclared fish shipment seized at Manila South Harbor

Agriculture Secretary Francisco P. Tiu Laurel Jr. led an operation uncovering a P202 million misdeclared fish shipment at Manila South Harbor.

The shipment, containing frozen mackerel and round scad, was falsely declared as plant-based food products from China.

Authorities inspected two of nineteen container vans and found frozen fish instead of the declared items like fried taro sticks.

The shipment arrived on January 1 and is linked to two companies, Straradava Household Products Co. Ltd. and Fendee Consumer Goods Trading.

Secretary Laurel vowed that the DA, BOC, and FDA will pursue and bring the perpetrators to justice for outright smuggling.

He noted that if the smuggled goods entered the market, smugglers would likely prioritize maximum profit rather than lowering prices.