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The Bureau of Customs confiscated ₱2.39 billion worth of smuggled goods in the first two months of commissioner Ariel Nepomuceno’s leadership at the agency
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From July to August, the BOC carried out 128 anti-smuggling enforcement operations
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Specifically, the BOC intercepted ₱1.230 billion worth of illegal drugs; ₱929 million worth of illicit cigarettes, tobacco, and vape; and ₱178 million worth of agricultural products
The Bureau of Customs (BOC) confiscated ₱2.390 billion worth of smuggled goods in the first two months of commissioner Ariel Nepomuceno’s leadership at the agency.
From July to August this year, the BOC in a statement said it carried out 128 enforcement operations against smuggling.
READ: Ariel Nepomuceno appointed BOC commissioner
Specifically, the BOC intercepted ₱1.230 billion worth of illegal drugs; ₱929 million worth of illicit cigarettes, tobacco, and vape; and ₱178 million worth of agricultural products, among other smuggled goods.
The campaign against illegal drugs gained ground through the BOC’s close coordination with the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency, the Inter-Agency Drug Interdiction Task Group, and other law enforcement counterparts.
On July 17, 2025, Nepomuceno led the inspection of a shipment at the Manila International Container Port that yielded 110.24 kilograms of methamphetamine, locally called shabu, worth ₱749.63 million — one of the largest drug seizures this year.
Another operation was conducted on August 22 in a warehouse raid in Plaridel, Bulacan where operatives discovered ₱605.29 million worth of smuggled cigarettes. This marked the largest cigarette-related interception of 2025.
Cracking down on the smuggling of agricultural products remained one of the agency’s top priorities.
Through the active coordination with the Department of Agriculture, the BOC seized over ₱178 million worth of fishery goods, onions, carrots, poultry, and sugar from July to August, underscoring its efforts to protect local farmers and consumers.
The operations were conducted in line with R.A. 12022, or the Anti-Agricultural Economic Sabotage Act, which classifies large-scale smuggling of farm goods as economic sabotage.
READ: Marcos signs Anti-Agricultural Economic Sabotage Act into law
The Commissioner also introduced key policy measures to strengthen the BOC’s fight against smuggling and corruption. On July 2, 2025, he issued his first directive suspending all previously approved but unserved Letters of Authority and Mission Orders to restore discipline in field operations and prevent unauthorized enforcement activities.
This was followed on July 17, 2025, by a historic memorandum banning all BOC officials, employees, and personnel from holding any financial interest in Customs Brokerage operations.
According to Nepomuceno: “These results, along with our steadfast commitment to instituting meaningful reforms, stand as strong evidence of our determination to combat smuggling in all its forms.”
He commended the dedication of the BOC’s Intelligence and Enforcement Group as well as District Offices nationwide, “whose tireless efforts form the backbone of these successful operations.”
He said the BOC will sustain its enforcement drive, anchored on reforms that strengthen integrity and accountability.
