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The Bureau of Customs seized parcels containing 22 bearded dragons and six Argentine black and white lizards at the Central Mail Exchange Center in Pasay City
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The shipments have an estimated market value of P210,000 and came from Samutprakarn, Thailand
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Both parcels were declared to contain “children’s toys” and underwent seizure and forfeiture proceedings
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The seized lizards were immediately turned over to the Department of Environment and Natural Resources
The Bureau of Customs (BOC) recently seized parcels containing 22 bearded dragons and six Argentine black and white lizards with an estimated market value of P210,000 at the Central Mail Exchange Center, Pasay City.
Both parcels were declared to contain “children’s toys”. They were shipped from Samutprakarn, Thailand by a certain Anuphop Wilit and sent to an address in Paranaque City, BOC said in a statement.
An x-ray check and 100% physical examination of the two parcels led to the discovery of the live wildlife.
The parcels were subjected to seizure and forfeiture proceedings for violation of Section 1113 (Property Subject to Seizure and Forfeiture) of Republic Act (RA) No. 10863 or the Customs Modernization and Tariff Act in relation to Section 117 (Regulated Importation and Exportation), and RA 9147 or the Wildlife Resources Conservation and Protection Act.
Under RA 9147, wildlife species may be exported to or imported from another country as may be authorized, subject to strict compliance with the provisions of the law and issuance of import/export permit.
BOC said the operations were conducted in coordination with the Enforcement and Security Service-Environmental Compliance and Protection Division. The seized lizards were immediately turned over to the Wildlife Monitoring Unit of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources for proper handling and safekeeping.
