THE Bureau of Customs (BOC) Mactan seized 20 million Yen or about P9.6 million from a Japanese national who failed to declare the money when he arrived in the Mactan Cebu International Airport last June 12.

Customs Commissioner Isidro Lapeña presented to the media the money they seized from Yuki Sakaguchi, 32, who hails from Tokyo.

The man will face a case for violating the Customs Modernization and Tariff Act and Banko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) Circular No. 922-2016, which prohibits a person from bringing with him or her money in and outside of the country exceeding P50,000 without prior authorization from the BSP.

The cash was discovered when Sakaguchi’s luggage passed through the airport’s x-ray system.

Lapeña said that Sakaguchi refused to issue a statement about the incident.

Sakaguchi underwent inquest proceedings last Monday and was granted temporary liberty upon posting P60,000 as bail.

Lapeña assured that Sakaguchi can’t leave the country since they confiscated his passport.

BOC learned that it was Sakaguchi’s first time to visit Cebu.

The agency vowed to check his background and investigate why he brought such a big amount of money in the country.

The seized amount will be forwarded to the Bureau of Treasury and will no longer be given back to Sakaguchi. (FVQ of Superbalita Cebu)