MANILA -The Bureau of Customs (BOC) touted “remarkable milestones” and achievements in the first half, such as having seized P23.8 billion worth of contraband in the first half of 2023.
The BOC on Friday presented a mid-year report of its performance, in the buildup to President Marcos’ second State of the Nation Address on Monday.
In a statement, the BOC said its antismuggling operations conducted from January to June foiled the illegal entry into the country of counterfeit products, agricultural products, tobacco products, illegal drugs, and general merchandise.
In particular, enforcement sorties netted P1.4 billion worth of cigarettes in a Sulu warehouse on March 2; P86 million worth of misdeclared sugar from Hong Kong at the Subic Port on March 15; and P3.8 million worth of crystal meth, or shabu, at Ninoy Aquino International Airport DHL Express Warehouse on May 8.
Also, as a deterrent, the BOC through its Fuel Marking Program mixed so-called chemical stamps into 9.42 billion liters of fuel, representing P114.53 billion in duties and taxes.
The agency said this meant that it was “successfully combating” illicit fuel trade.
READ:
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