Customs foils attempt to smuggle P31-M goods

The Bureau of Customs on Friday seized 18 container vans loaded with various smuggled goods valued at P31 million. In a statement, Customs chief Angelito Alvarez said at least 10 container vans were carrying a Kia Carnival, a Hyundai Starex, musical instruments, ceramic tiles, and high-velocity electric fans. The smuggled goods were taken into Customs custody for being "grossly undervalued, misclassified, misdeclared as to quantity, abandoned, or addressed to fictitious consignees." Filomeno Vicencio Jr., director of the Customs Intelligence and Investigation Service-Operations Section, said the seizure of the hot goods exposed the modus operandi of fictitious consignees. Some container vans were supposed to be shipped to Cren Trading, the same consignee involved in the alleged smuggling of a Toyota Tundra, a Hummer H2, and used clothing at the Davao port months ago. Vicencio noted that Cren Trading, with an office located in Quiapo, Manila, was most likely one of the fictitious consignees hired by syndicates involved in illegal importation. "A recent check showed that another firm now occupies that Quiapo office. We suspect that Cren Trading just changed its business name to circumvent the law," Vicencio said. The remaining container vans were consigned to Heros Number-1 Surplus Shop, Dae Han Product Line Trading, Kens Unlimited Trading International Corp., Gawisao Trading, Cassa Trading, and Uy Tit and Co. Inc. Alvarez said he ordered an internal investigation to determine if certain Customs personnel were involved in the smuggling attempt. — JE/ELR/VS, GMA News