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The Bureau of Customs secured the conviction of four individuals in two separate smuggling cases before the Regional Trial Court of Manila
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One was convicted for illegally importing cigarettes concealed in shipments falsely declared as plastic products from China
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Three officers of ADNFinest Marketing Corp. were convicted of unlawfully importing undeclared motor vehicles and used tires from Dubai
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Customs commissioner Ariel Nepomuceno said the convictions demonstrate the government’s resolve to prosecute smugglers, not just intercept illegal shipments
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Both cases were filed in 2021, the same year the illegal goods were seized
The Bureau of Customs (BOC) secured convictions for four individuals in two separate smuggling cases before the Regional Trial Court of Manila, the agency announced, reinforcing its campaign against illicit trade and customs fraud.
In the first case, the court convicted an individual for using YJC International Corporation as a consignee-for-hire in the unlawful importation of two 40-foot containers from China that arrived on Jan. 3, 2021.
The shipment was falsely declared to contain plastic products. However, a physical examination by Customs authorities uncovered 1,599 cartons of cigarettes concealed among the declared goods without the required import commodity clearances.
The court sentenced the accused to an indeterminate prison term of 12 years and one day to 15 years and one day for each count.
In a separate case, the court convicted the president, vice president, and corporate secretary of ADNFinest Marketing Corporation for their participation in the unlawful importation of motor vehicles from Dubai, United Arab Emirates.
The shipment, which arrived on May 27, 2021, was declared to contain only two vehicles. Customs inspection, however, revealed an undeclared 2020 Chevrolet Camaro ZL1 and 98 unmanifested used tires.
Prosecutors also established that the company did not possess a certificate of authority to import motor vehicles.
Each of the three corporate officers was sentenced to an indeterminate prison term of six years and one day to 10 years and one day.
Customs commissioner Ariel Nepomuceno said the convictions send a strong message that customs violations carry legal consequences.
“The message from these cases is clear: violations of the law carry consequences. We are not only intercepting illegal shipments at our ports; we are also ensuring that those behind these violations are held accountable, in order to protect legitimate businesses and maintain fair trade in the country,” Nepomuceno said.
The BOC filed criminal charges in 2021, the same year the illegal importations occurred, highlighting its prompt response to customs violations.
READ: 9 Customs personnel face anti‑graft, smuggling charges
Nepomuceno commended the BOC Legal Service for pursuing the cases and the Department of Justice for its continued support in securing the convictions.
“I extend my gratitude to our Legal Service for their tireless efforts in pursuing these cases, as well as to the Department of Justice for their continued support and cooperation. This kind of coordination strengthens our campaign against smuggling and other violations of the law,” he said.
READ: BOC endorses complaints vs smugglers of agricultural goods
