Customs seizes P100M worth of smuggled food, 21 cleared

The Bureau of Customs intercepted 31 containers of smuggled onions, carrots, and frozen fish worth an estimated P100 million at the Port of Subic on Tuesday.

Officials from the Department of Agriculture (DA) and the Bureau of Customs inspected 59 shipments in total, with 21 cleared for release while the remaining 31 were seized due to misdeclaration as chicken products without import permits.

On Tuesday, ten containers out of 52 flagged by customs were singled out for inspection on suspicion they contained agricultural commodities imported from China without required permits and are being held pending further investigation under the Food Safety Act of 2013 and the Customs Modernization and Tariff Act.

Agriculture Secretary Francisco P. Tiu Laurel, Jr., emphasized that these products will undergo rigorous testing to determine their safety for human consumption; if deemed unfit, they will be destroyed immediately.

Officials aim to charge those involved in violations of the Anti Agricultural Smuggling Law and ensure that smuggled food does not pose biohazard risks while prioritizing public health and protecting local farmers and fisherfolk.