P70M smuggled vegetables seized in Subic Port
At least P70 million worth of smuggled assorted vegetables have been confiscated from the Subic Port.
Agriculture Secretary William Dar said the Sub-Task Group Economic Intelligence (STG EI) conducted the operation last Thursday, following reports of the arrival of 22 40-foot reefer container vans under consignees JKJ International Company and EMV Consumer Goods Trading in Port of Subic.
Dar said the vans were suspected to be containing misdeclared agricultural products.
During the inspection, the task group yielded positive result with the discovery of misdeclared carrots, broccoli and assorted vegetables inside the container vans.
The seized items were declared “Mantou” (Chinese steamed bun) with an estimated value of P70 million.
The operation was conducted by personnel from the Department of Agriculture (DA), Department of Trade and Industry (DTI), Bureau of Customs (BOC), National Intelligence Coordinating Administration (NICA) and Philippine National Police.
The STG EI led by its alternate chair and DA Assistant Secretary Federico Laciste Jr. together with Port of Subic Collector Maritess Martin, representatives from DTI led by Mina Forteza, and personnel from NICA conducted the operations against unscrupulous importers of agri-fishery products from China.
Just recently, Laciste attended a meeting with the local producers of highland vegetables in Baguio City. They complained of the continuous presence of imported highland vegetables in the local markets which is severely affecting their livelihood.
These imported vegetables are sold at a cheaper price due to non-payment of tariffs.
