The Bureau of Customs (BOC) and National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) have seized more than P25 million worth of food items, including frozen Peking ducks banned because of the threat of bird flu, in a warehouse in Brgy. Anunas in Angeles, Pampanga.
Seized during the raid on June 11 were soy sauce, oil, and frozen food products such as Peking duck, fish balls, squid balls, vegetables, pork meat and others in the warehouse, BOC said in a statement.
Initial inventory of the goods counted 1,149 boxes, each with at least 10 heads of Peking ducks valued at P23 million, while other frozen goods were estimated to be worth P2 million.
BOC said the products are believed to have been smuggled into the country because of a ban on importing poultry products from a number of countries, except the United States, Canada, and Australia. These imported poultry products should have been subjected to stringent requirements and tests by Customs and other regulatory government agencies, BOC noted.
The seizure was conducted by a team composed of BOC’s Customs Intelligence and Investigation Services and NBI-Special Action Unit, with support from the Philippine Coast Guard, bearing a Letter of Authority (LOA) and Mission Order issued by Customs commissioner Rey Leonardo Guerrero. The raid was also coordinated with the local PNP units and barangay officials.
The LOA was served to a certain Jimgold M. Tan, the representative of the warehouse owner upon arrival at the warehouse.
BOC Port of Clark will act on the forfeiture case of these banned food products while the Bureau’s Action Team Against Smugglers will file criminal charges against those responsible for bringing in the smuggled goods.
