BOC recognized by PDEA for its anti-drugs operations

The Bureau of Customs (BOC) received a plaque of appreciation from the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) for having the most number of significant drug-related operational accomplishments from January to November 2016.

The award was presented by Chairman Isidro S. Lapena, Chairman NALECC-SCDDCC/DG, PDEA at ceremonies held at the PDEA National Headquarters on 7 December. Chairman Lapena acknowledged the numerous apprehensions made by the Bureau, especially at the Customs unit stationed at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA).

For the year 2016, the CAIDTF apprehended dangerous drugs amounting to more than P340 million as a result of 36 apprehensions which yielded cocaine, shabu, ecstasy, marijuana and other precursors.

Lt. Sherwin F. Andrada, Executive Officer of the Customs Anti-Illegal Drugs Task Force (CAIDTF), ESS of the BOC Enforcement Group, stated that the Bureau will continue to be on the look out for drug groups who would use our airports and customs border to smuggle drugs into the Philippines.

This effort is in line with the directive of President Rodrigo Roa Duterte to BOC to apprehend all drugs and drug related precursors that may pass thru the customs borders.

“The war on drugs is the priority of the present administration, and BOC is committed to fully support this challenging task,” Deputy Commissioner for Enforcement Group Ariel F. Nepomuceno said.

BOC, PDEA, Chinese agents join forces to stop drug smuggling

The Bureau of Customs (BOC) and Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) tie-up with China’s Fujian Provincial Drug Law Enforcement Agency for a strong stance against the entrance of prohibited drugs into the Philippines.

In a meeting on Tuesday, 21 February, Director Neil Anthony Estrella of the Customs Intelligence and Investigation Service (CIIS) emphasized the need to talk about and address the illegal drug operations involving China and the Philippines. “This will be the start of the interaction and engagement of the customs of China and of Philippines,” he said.

Deputy Director for Operation Division of Narcotics Control Commission Shen Yu explained that this tie up is a response to the agreement and Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) during President Rodrigo Duterte's four-day state visit to Beijing last October 18 to 21. The said MOU supports the Philippine government’s efforts in fighting against illicit drugs.

“We have come to our new relationship after President Duterte visited China. We can discuss how to enhance cooperation in terms of narcotics control between our nation,” Yu said.

BOC, aside from its primary function of collecting the lawful duties and taxes accruing on the imported article, is also responsible for keeping all ports of entry free from smuggling in any forms.

According to reports from the Customs Anti-Illegal Drugs Task Force (CAIDTF) for 2016, BOC intercepted 30 illegal drugs shipments, 14 illegal shipments of methamphetamine hydrochloride also known as shabu amounting to P30,093,990.50, five shipments of ecstasy valued at P15,363,000, nine shipments of cocaine pegged at P291,677,691; and one shipment of marijuana at P25,520 -- all totaling to P337,160,201.50.

Illegal drugs are transported to the country via fishing vessels and shabu laboratories. Last 17 February, BOC seized 320 drums of imported hydrochloric acid known as one of the components in making shabu at the Mindanao Container Terminal (MCT), Tagoloan Sub-port, Cagayan de Oro.

Deputy Commissioner Ariel Nepomuceno of the Enforcement Group said that the top priority of the government is drug enforcement. “We can establish a specific office or person to act as a liason officer of the Narcotics Commission of China. You can expect BOC’s full cooperation because this is our priority -to end illegal drugs smuggling,” he said.

China has partnered with Japan, Australia, and New Zealand in its intelligence sharing against crimes and drugs. Philippines and China agreed to enhance exchange of intelligence and technology in fighting against drug crimes, including the training of operatives and techniques in detecting illegal drugs

BOC raises alerts vs agri-products smuggling from India

The Bureau of Customs (BOC) has raised alarm against smuggling of agricultural products with the discovery that unscrupulous traders have recently added India in its list of best sources of red onions and other farm yields.

Commissioner Nicanor E. Faeldon said that the uplifting of BOC’s vigilance on imports of farm products was triggered by the bust of a P15-million worth of smuggled fresh red onions contained in 11 40-footer container vans shipped from India through an Indian-registered vessel E.R. Felixstowe 032 to the Manila International Container Port (MICP).

“It is my first time to hear that onions were imported from India since I took office in July 2017,” Faeldon said.

BOC records, so far, bare that commonly-apprehended smuggled onions came from China and other Asian countries.

Faeldon underscored BOC’s fight against smuggling of agricultural products as a top effort between the agency (through point person Federico E. Laciste, Jr.) and the Department of Agriculture (DA), with full support of Cabinet Secretary Leoncio B. Evasco, Jr. who heads the inter-agency committee on anti-agricultural smuggling.

BOC is a member of the inter-agency committee on anti-agricultural smuggling composed of the National Food Authority, DA, and the Office of the President through the Office of the Cabinet Secretary.

“I have directed the officers of 17 ports and sub-ports to give due attention to importation of agricultural products and closely verify, authenticate, and double check its documents and required permits so that BOC and the inter-agency can and will be able to protect the interest and welfare of Filipino farmers and stop all forms of economic sabotage,” Faeldon said.

Faeldon noted that the seizure of the 11 40-footer container vans of fresh red onions was effected in compliance to the memorandum order of Assistant Secretary Laciste dated December 24, 2016, which cited that the filing of SPS permit validation for agricultural products was allowed until December 31, 2016 only. The onion shipments arrived on January 1, 2017, thus its previous import permit elapsed effectively violating the provisions of Republic Act No. 10845, otherwise known as the Anti-Agricultural Smuggling Act of 2016.

Customs Intelligence and Investigation Service (CIIS) Director Neil L. Estrella, citing a report from MICP-CIIS Officer-In-Charge Teodoro Sagaral, said that the 11 40-footer CVs onion importations have two consignees namely: Mheriban Sales Corporation (MSC) with address Room 892 Artex Building, 435Juan Luna Street, Barangay 287, Zone 27, Binondo, Manila and Malaya Multi-Purpose Cooperative (MMPC) with address at Mapaniqui, Candaba, Pampanga.

Of the 11 40-footed CVs, eight (8) were consigned to MSC and three (3) were named to MMPC.

Sagaral, in a report, said the 8 40-footer CVs of MSC were contained in import entry numbers: 2013-17, 1935-17, and 1963-17. The 3 CVs of MMPC were lodged under one import entry numbered: 1381-17.

The MSC onions were loaded in CVs numbered: TTNU8282130; GESU9594042; TTNU8280842; SZLU9154400; SZLU9174768; SZLU9174285; TEMU9033802; and TEMU9158271. The MMPC onion shipments were in CVs numbered: SZLU9175194; TTNU8282167; and TTNU8281160.