MANILA — Three parcels containing suspected shabu, valued at over PHP100 million, were recently confiscated by the Bureau of Customs (BOC) in Clark, Pampanga.

The illegal substances, initially labeled as “brochures” from Texas, Pennsylvania, and Illinois in the United States, arrived on December 18, 2023.

The port’s X-ray Inspection Project raised suspicions, leading to a thorough inspection that unveiled plastic pouches containing crystalline materials suspected to be shabu.

District Collector Erastus Sandino Austria disclosed that the estimated street value of the seized drugs amounted to PHP103,113,600. A chemical laboratory analysis by the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) confirmed the presence of shabu, classified as a dangerous drug under Republic Act 9165, also known as the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002.

In response to the discovery, Austria issued Warrants of Seizure and Detention against the shipments, citing a violation of RA 10863 (Customs Modernization and Tariff Act) in connection with RA 9165. BOC Commissioner Bienvenido Rubio pledged to maintain collaborations with law enforcement agencies to prevent the illicit entry of drugs into the country.

“While there is still work to be done in the Bureau of Customs to enhance our efforts against illegal attempts to import controlled substances, we remain committed to strengthening coordination with our partner law enforcement agencies to protect our nation from the detrimental effects of drug trafficking,” Rubio stated in a released statement.

(Jr Amigo/IA/MNM)

By Liezelle Soriano

MANILA — The Bureau of Customs (BOC) issued a warning on Sunday (Dec 17) regarding “parcel scams” during the holiday season.

The BOC emphasized that the public should not trust text messages and calls claiming they have parcels awaiting processing at the agency.

According to the agency, scammers posing as BOC personnel or foreigners might request payment through personal bank accounts or money remittances to supposedly release held shipments.

The BOC clarified that customs duties and taxes should only be paid at their cashier or through authorized agent banks.

The BOC also advised individuals to check the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) website to verify if a particular courier or forwarder is accredited.

Additionally, the agency recommended contacting the BOC to verify receipts, tracking numbers, and other documents.

(ai/mnm)

By Junex Doronio

MANILA — Amid rumors of a major shake-up and grumblings over “high duties and taxes,” Customs Commissioner Bienvenido Y. Rubio has claimed that the Bureau of Customs (BOC) exceeded its collection target last month by 1.5 percent or P1.09 billion.

Rubio on Wednesday (December 6) said that based on their initial report, the agency collected P75.338 billion in November, higher than the target P74.249 billion.

However, this is still subject to the validation of the Bureau of Treasury (BTr).

“Mga assessment… are really doing great in assessing the goods that are coming in. Ang pinakamalaking pinanggagalingan ng revenue ay fuel. Oil importations natin,” Rubio told the media.

He attributed the increase of collected revenues to the efficiency of tax collection and properly identifying the forfeited goods involved.

Rubio noted that from January to end-November 2023,  BOC also surpassed its goal of P795.966 billion by 2.2 percent or around P17.685 billion, which means the agency hit P813.61 billion during the period of 11 months.

The BOC chief pointed out that compared to the same period last year, BOC’s revenue collection rose by 3.09 percent or about P24 billion.

Rubio expressed confidence that the BOC will attain its collection target for the year at P974.2 billion.

“Well, I think we are on track… habang tumatakbo ang buwan, medyo nakikita natin every month nagkakaroon tayo ng surplus. May isa lang tayo na medyo minimal ang, parang kinapos lang ng kaunti,” the BOC top honcho said

(AI/MNM)

By Junex Doronio

FOR HITTING THE ₱2.3 BILLION OCTOBER 2023 TARGET and posting a P60.237 million surplus, Special Deputy Collector Dr. Siegfred “Yeye” L. Manaois, together with the men and women of the Paircargo Assessment Composite Office, received on Monday a commendation “in recognition of their exceptional dedication and commendable performance.”

No less than the Bureau of Customs-Port of Ninyo Aquino International Airport (BOC – NAIA) District Collector Atty. Maria Yasmin M. Obillos-Mapa handed the certificate of commendation to Manaois and his staff at the NAIA Customshouse in Pasay City.

Customs insiders acknowledged Manaois’ “incredible feat” as they noted that collection districts have been encountering difficulties in hitting their respective collection targets.

For his part, Manaois thanked the men and women of the Paircargo Assessment Composite Office for their dedication and teamwork that enabled them to hit and even surpass the assigned collection target.

Meanwhile, despite the complaints of some Customs brokers against what they call “impractically high duties and taxes,” the Bureau of Customs (BOC) overall still exceeded its target collection for October 2023, with nearly P80 billion in total revenues.

Preliminary data showed that BOC collections reached P78.616 billion in October, posting a 1.4 percent increase or PhP1.084 billion above its collection target for the month.

(ai/mnm)

The PNP, BOC, and PDEA unveiled P2.2 billion worth of methamphetamine (shabu) hidden in a beef jerky shipment at the Manila International Container Port in Tondo, Manila, on October 6, 2023.

Authorities estimate the drugs weigh 323 kilos and have a street value of P2.2 billion. They were discreetly packed in plastic packets, each wrapped in carbon paper and aluminum foil.

Media was shown neatly arranged 1,109 plastic packs allegedly containing a white crystalline substance believed to be shabu.

(Report & photography by Benjamin Cuaresma/ai/mnm)