P12-M worth of used tires, computer accessories seized

MANILA -- The Bureau of Customs (BOC) has confiscated two 40-footer vans loaded with P12-million worth of illegally imported used tires, electronic and computer routers, parts and accessories from Japan and Singapore, an official said Friday.

Customs Commissioner Ruffy Biazon said that one of the two seized 40-footer container vans was misdeclared as oil filters and pistons from Japan. The container van arrived at the Manila International Container Port (MCIP) on January 24 and was consigned to Nolman Commercial.

The other 40-footer container van that was consigned to Victorious One Enterprises, which arrived at the MICP on February 13 from Singapore was found to contain internet broadband wifi routers, network cables, antivirus CDs and iPhone cases among others, instead of its declared computer parts, Biazon said.

The misdeclarations were discovered during x-ray scanning of the two container vans at the MICP's x-ray facility.

"We strongly believe that one way to eliminate smuggling is to hit smugglers where it will hurt the most, their pockets. We will not waver, therefore, in our campaign, not only to get smugglers, but their smuggled goods as well," the BOC chief said. (SDR/Sunnex)