Customs and NBI seized P25M Worth of Smuggled Food Products in Pampanga

In line with it’s mandate to eliminate fraud and curb smuggling, the Bureau of Customs (BOC) and National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) on Thursday seized more than P25 million worth of food items, including frozen Peking ducks which are banned because of the threat of bird flu, in a warehouse in Brgy. Anunas in Angeles, Pampanga.

The teams composed of the Customs Intelligence and Investigation Services (CIIS) and the National Bureau of Investigation – Special Action Unit (NBI – SAU ) with support from the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG), proceeded to the warehouse.

The composite team acted upon Letter of Authority (LOA) & Mission Order (MO) both issued by the Commissioner. The LOA was served to a certain Jimgold M. Tan, the representative of the warehouse owner upon arrival at the warehouse.

Prior to the operation, they coordinated with local Barangay and PNP units.

The team found soy sauce, oil, and frozen food products such as Peking duck, fish balls, squid balls, vegetables, pork meat, and others in the warehouse. Initial inventory of the goods resulted to 1,149 boxes, each with at least 10 heads of Peking ducks valued at P23 million while the other frozen goods worth P2 million.

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 pass stringent requirements and tests by the Customs and other regulatory government agencies.

The 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.

As the nation gears to embrace the new normal in relation to day-to-day activities, the BOC will remain committed to curb illegal imports and exports of prohibited and counterfeit shipments.