THE Bureau of Customs (BOC) confiscated from January to October this year some P12.92 billion worth of smuggled goods, most of which were illegal drugs plus counterfeit goods, cigarettes and other tobacco products.

Customs Commissioner Rey Leonardo Guerrero said the BOC was able to foil the entry of shabu shipments worth P2.96 billion in three separate incidents, while other illegal substances worth P151.74 million were also seized from January to October.

In a report to Finance Secretary Carlos Dominguez III, Guerrero said the bulk of the goods seized as of October 24 this year were mostly counterfeit products worth P7.81 billion, and which were intercepted in 14 separate incidents in various ports.

Cigarettes and other tobacco products valued at P1.69 billion were also confiscated by the BOC, along with P107.59 million worth of agricultural products, Guerrero reported during a recent Department of Finance executive committee meeting.

Other seized goods were vehicles and accessories worth P67.25 million, used clothing valued at P54.66 million, steel products at P12.61 million, general merchandise valued at P9.39 million and other products at P58.20 million.

Guerrero said that as of October this year, the BOC has also filed 20 cases against illegal operations that impede the bureau’s revenue collections and revoked the accreditation of 160 importers and 20 brokers in line with its anti-corruption campaign. (PR)