THE Bureau of Customs (BoC) seized nearly P770 million in illicit shipments of cars, illegal drugs, and tobacco products over the first six weeks of the year, the Department of Finance (DoF) said.
As of Feb. 11, the Bureau seized P420 million worth of vehicles and their accessories, while cigarette and other tobacco product seizures accounted for P221.4 million. Illegal drug seizures amounted to P46 million, the DoF said in a statement on Monday.
Customs Commissioner Rey Leonardo Guerrero said that the bureau also seized P44.8 million in currency, and confiscated over P30 million in personal protective equipment and medical supplies. He reported the apprehension of P6 million in agricultural products.
Other seized items including general merchandise, firearms, and wildlife worth P1.5 million.
The bureau over that period also filed 11 criminal cases against 30 respondents suspected of smuggling. It filed another three administrative cases against customs brokers before the Professional Regulation Commission.
“The BoC has also completed the inspection and investigation of Customs warehouses,” the DoF said.
Of 383 warehouses, 75 were issued closure orders.
The BoC in 2021 seized smuggled goods worth P28.43 billion, which included farm goods, general merchandise, vehicles, counterfeit goods and illegal drugs.
This was almost triple the P10.63 billion worth of goods seized in 2020.
The 2020 total was about half the P20.6 billion total in 2019 as the coronavirus pandemic disrupted operations.
Customs revenue collections in 2021 totaled P645.77 billion, up 20%. — Jenina P. Ibañez
