PNP seizes 4 container vans smuggling misdeclared goods from China

On Thursday, authorities seized four 40-foot container vans suspected of smuggling goods in warehouses in Parañaque, Valenzuela, and Bocaue, Bulacan.

The seizures were made based on three search warrants issued for violations of the Customs Modernization and Tariff Act following an anonymous tip submitted to the Office of the Special Envoy on Transnational Crime (OSETC).

According to PNP-CIDG chief General Nicolas Torre III, goods in these containers mostly originated from China and were misdeclared to evade proper taxes.

Upon inspection, one container van declared as containing rubber bags was found to hold tissue, tongs, and spoons, while another declared to have branded footwear contained unbranded items.

A third container van declared to carry electric stoves and accessories actually held golf bats, food items, radiators, and radiator coolant, highlighting discrepancies in quality or quantity of the goods.

The PNP-CIDG emphasized that such practices undermine fair trade and economic stability and vowed to take appropriate legal action against those involved before filing charges for customs law violations.