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Bureau of Customs endorsed six draft criminal complaints against three consignees of smuggled agricultural goods to the Department of Finance
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Complaints filed under Republic Act No. 12022, Anti-Agricultural Economic Sabotage Act
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Cases stem from June 2025 seizures involving onions, carrots, and frozen mackerel
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Total estimated value of shipments exceeds P90 million, based on the Department of Agriculture price index
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Cases to undergo DOF review before filing with the Department of Justice
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Administrative proceedings were also initiated against customs personnel
The Bureau of Customs (BOC) has endorsed six draft criminal complaints against three consignees to the Department of Finance (DOF) for review and approval under the Anti-Agricultural Economic Sabotage Act.
The complaints involve alleged violations of Section 7 of Republic Act (RA) No. 12022, or the Anti-Agricultural Economic Sabotage Act, stemming from multiple seizure operations conducted in June 2025 targeting the unlawful importation of agricultural products.
Among the shipments covered by the complaints were several consignments of white onions and carrots that arrived on June 13 and 21, 2025, with an estimated value of P27.1 million.
A separate shipment of frozen mackerel that arrived on June 21, 2025, was valued at P43.8 million. Another shipment consisting of fresh carrots and frozen mackerel that arrived on June 13, 2025, was estimated at P19.4 million.
In total, the agricultural products subject to the complaints are valued at more than P90 million, based on the Department of Agriculture’s daily price index.
READ: BOC intercepts P12.96M in misdeclared agri goods at MICP
In accordance with RA 12022, the BOC transmitted the draft complaints to the DOF for the required review and approval prior to filing the cases before the Department of Justice.
Alongside the criminal case, the bureau announced it has begun administrative proceedings against the involved personnel in accordance with civil service laws and regulations to assess any potential administrative responsibility stemming from the incidents.
“Every shipment that enters our borders must comply with the law,” Customs commissioner Ariel Nepomuceno said in a statement.
“We are fully cooperating with all authorities to ensure that those responsible are held accountable. We will pursue these cases with the full weight of the law—not just to uphold customs regulations, but to protect our farmers, our local industries, and the integrity of the country’s borders. There will be no compromise when it comes to unlawful activities that threaten our agricultural sector,” he added.
READ: BOC wins P998M drug smuggling case, 3 sent to life in prison
