CRIMINAL charges were filed against several importers and customs brokers Monday for large-scale agricultural smuggling, misdeclaration, fake goods, and shipments with no permit.
The Bureau of Customs through the Bureau’s Action Team Against Smugglers (BATAS) under the Legal Service filed the smuggling cases before the Department of Justice involving five different shipments of importers and brokers who facilitated the shipments.
Officers of Malaya Multi-Purpose Cooperative – Oscar G. Catacutan, Mario Briones, Eddie Lalu, Randy Turla, and Alfredo Guevarra and the customs broker Mary Faith Duran Miro – were charged with large-scale agricultural smuggling.
Malaya Multi-Purpose Cooperative imported Php2.5 million worth of onions concealed in boxes of apples and pears inside four containers, according to the bureau.
Stanley Tan, owner of the Php9.4-million shipment of counterfeit cigarettes and assorted beauty products was also charged with violation of Section 224, Section 118 (f) (Prohibited Importation) in relation to Section 1430 of the Customs Modernization and Tariff Act (CMTA) and Section 166 of R.A. 8293 or the Intellectual Property Code of the Philippines (IPC).
Charged on the third case were Samuel M. Alvarado, the president and major stockholder of Pherica International Corporation and customs broker Nazario S. Maglanque for their unlawful importation of plush toys with an estimated value of Php500,000.
The shipment had no import permit from the Food and Drug Administration. Customs said it was “a clear violation of Republic Act 9711 or the Food and Drug Administration Act of 2009.”
The fourth smuggling charges involved Ismael Tayuan Malingco, owner of IT Malingco, and customs broker Erlinda V. Dumalaog for the importation of foodstuff, air freshener, shampoo, and other commodities without the appropriate permit from the FDA. The shipments with an estimated value of Php6.5-million had been destroyed last Sept. 14 at Tritek Reverse Logistics, an accredited condemnation facility located in San Pedro, Laguna.
Lastly, Marnie B. Seguiran, owner of Power Buster Marketing, was charged for importing Php1.6 million of fireworks and firecrackers which were declared as footwear.
