The Bureau of Customs (BOC) has reported to the Department of Finance (DOF) that it seized P4.43 billion-worth of goods in the first five months of this year from 478 operations involving suspected smuggling activities during this period.

Preliminary BOC data showed that of the seized goods, counterfeit products accounted for P1.98 billion, followed by general merchandise worth P864.44 million.

Its tightened watch on cigarette shipments entering the country has led to numerous seizures and apprehensions of illegally imported tobacco products, which accounted for P759.89 million of the value of suspected smuggled goods confiscated so far by the agency.

In its report to Finance Secretary Carlos Dominguez III during a recent DOF Executive Committee (Execom) meeting, the BOC also said it has apprehended P373.16 million-worth of illegal drugs, P221.81 million-worth of agricultural products, and used clothing valued at P39.13 million during the period.

Electronics parts and products worth P23.54 million, firearms valued at P40.12 million; cosmetics, personal protective equipment (PPEs) and other medical supplies worth P54.12 million, vehicles and accessories valued at P23.47 million, wildlife worth P3.73 million, and alcoholic beverages worth P3.91 million were also seized by the BOC, according to Customs Commissioner Rey Leonardo Guerrero during the Execom meeting.

The BOC also seized P45.77 million-worth of currency, jewelry, fuel, chemicals and other products from January 1 to May 31.

From January 1 to May 28, the BOC filed 38 criminal cases with the Department of Justice (DOJ) against 144 respondents suspected of involvement in smuggling activities, and another 23 administrative cases against erring customs brokers before the Professional Regulation Commission (PRC).

The BOC has so far ordered the closure of 26 customs-bonded warehouses (CBWs) and 40 members of customs common-bonded warehouses (CCBWs), following the completion of its inspection of 391 customs warehouses across the country.

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