P4.7M smuggled vegetables seized in Malabon warehouse
At least P4.7-million worth of smuggled vegetables have been confiscated in an inspection conducted the other day in a warehouse in Malabon City.
The Sub Task Group on Economic Intelligence (STG EI) composite team from the Department of Agriculture found the smuggled vegetables from Warehouse A16 at UNICAN Industrial Corp. located at 202 Gov. Pascual Ave., Bgy. Catmon, Malabon City.
The inter-agency taskforce inspection team has recovered three 40-foot reefer containers containing smuggled carrots, broccoli and red onions.
The inspection was conducted on the strength of a letter of authority issued by Bureau of Customs (BOC) Commissioner Rey Guerrero upon request of Alternate Chair, Department of Trade and Industry Undersecretary Ruth Castelo based on information gathered by STG EI.
During the inspection, the team found seven makeshift reefer containers inside the warehouse wherein three of these contained smuggled vegetables.
The team added that there was even a vegetable reefer van currently being loaded with smuggled broccoli for delivery to wet markets upon entry of the inspection team.
The warehouse caretaker, Vicente Cruz, told the team that four 40-foot reefer containers regularly enter the warehouse containing mixed vegetables and were being distributed to various markets via delivery vans. That operation has been going on for one year.
Meanwhile, the BOC CIIS team sealed all three reefer containers containing smuggled vegetables and the entire warehouse was also sealed. Inventory of the smuggled goods was conducted. The workers found inside the warehouse were arrested for investigation.
