The Bureau of Customs (BOC) has reported to the Department of Finance (DOF) that it seized P19.95 billion-worth of goods from January 1 to August 23 this year, from 615 operations that yielded mostly illegal shipments of narcotics, counterfeit goods, cigarettes and other tobacco products.

Preliminary data reported by the BOC showed that of the seized goods over the Jan. 1-Aug. 23 period, counterfeit products accounted for P15 billion, followed by illegal drugs worth P1.88 billion.

BOC’s tightened watch on cigarette shipments led to the seizure of P1.23 billion-worth of suspected smuggled cigarettes and other tobacco products.

In his report to Finance Secretary Carlos Dominguez III during a recent DOF executive committee meeting, Customs Commissioner Rey Leonardo Guerrero said the BOC has also apprehended P887.61 million-worth of general merchandise, P267.27 million-worth of agricultural products, and used clothing valued at P56.63 million, during the same period.

Electronics parts and products worth P23.55 million, firearms valued at P40.12 million; cosmetics, personal protective equipment (PPEs) and other medical supplies worth P182.49 million, vehicles and accessories valued at P77.54 million, wildlife and natural resources worth P3.81 million, and alcoholic beverages worth P3.91 million were also seized by the BOC, according to Guerrero.

The BOC also seized P290 million-worth of currency, jewelry, fuel, chemicals, steel products and other items.

Over the Jan. 1-Aug. 27 period, the BOC filed 67 criminal cases with the Department of Justice (DOJ) against 217 respondents suspected of involvement in smuggling activities, and another 48 administrative cases against erring customs brokers before the Professional Regulation Commission (PRC).

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