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The Bureau of Customs seized P1.9 billion in suspected smuggled goods in a Bulacan raid
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Initial findings in the first warehouse raided included clothing, branded bags, toys, and electronic goods valued at P1.25 billion
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Another warehouse inspection uncovered dried tobacco and cigarette filters worth P694.4 million
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The warehouse operators have 15 days to provide documents proving the legality of the goods, as required under the Customs Modernization and Tariff Act
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Non-compliance will result in charges for smuggling, misdeclaration, and violations under the Intellectual Property Code, the TRAIN Law, and charges related to agricultural economic sabotage
The Bureau of Customs (BOC) seized P1.9 billion worth of suspected smuggled goods in a recent raid in Bulacan.
The haul included dried tobacco, counterfeit merchandise, used clothing, and various other items found across several warehouses in Guiguinto, Bulacan.
The first raid on November 6 revealed a substantial stash of goods suspected to have been illegally imported, including branded bags, shoes, toys, fake branded items, and electronic appliances such as electric fans, wireless speakers, and other general merchandise.
Customs Intelligence and Investigation Service Director Verne Enciso reported that the warehouse contained approximately P1.25 billion in merchandise, including items that infringe on intellectual property rights.
In a separate inspection on November 8, BOC agents uncovered sacks of dried tobacco and cigarette filter rods in another warehouse. These materials are estimated to be worth P694.4 million.
“Initially, the warehouse was closed when the team returned on November 8. There was also no representative to acknowledge the Letter of Authority (LOA). But with the barangay and compound representatives present, the team entered the warehouse and found raw materials to make tobacco,” Enciso said.
Following the raids, the BOC temporarily sealed the warehouses. Customs examiners will conduct a thorough inventory, overseen by representatives from Customs, local authorities, and storage facility personnel.
Deputy Commissioner for Intelligence Group Juvymax Uy said the warehouse owners and operators have 15 days from the LOA issuance to present documentation proving the goods’ legitimate importation and proper duty payment, in compliance with the Customs Modernization and Tariff Act (CMTA).
Failure to provide these documents will lead to charges for violating sections on regulated importation, misdeclaration, and forfeiture of property under the CMTA.
Additionally, charges will be filed under the Intellectual Property Code and the Tax Reform for Acceleration and Inclusion Law or Republic Act (RA) No. 10963.
The bureau plans to pursue cases under RA No. 12022, also known as the Anti-Agricultural Economic Sabotage Act, which classifies agricultural smuggling and related offenses as economic sabotage for the confiscated dried tobacco.
“Big operations like these take a lot of time and resources but as a testament to the enduring commitment of our officers, we were able to inspect many warehouses in three days and come up with a staggering amount of the smuggled goods being stored there,” Customs Commissioner Bienvenido Rubio said in a statement.
