Operatives from the Bureau of Customs (BOC) have raided a business establishment in Binondo, Manila allegedly selling smuggled high-value electronic products.
Discovered in the July 31 raid were electronic devices including those with the brands Apple (iPhones and iPads), Mi, and Samsung.
Also found during the raid were 15 undocumented Chinese nationals, who were turned over to the Bureau of Immigration (BI) for documentation and processing.
The joint operation was conducted by a team composed of agents from BOC’s Customs Intelligence and Investigation Service, the Intellectual Property Rights Division, the Armed Forces of the Philippines Joint Task Force-National Capital Region, and the Philippine Coast Guard.
The operation stemmed from more than a month of information gathering and surveying conducted by operatives from BOC’s Intelligence Group.
The owner of the establishment has until August 14 to present the evidence of payment of duties and taxes on imported goods openly for sale or kept in storage, or proof of local purchase.
If the owner fails to produce the evidence, BOC, pursuant to Section 224 of the Customs Modernization and Tariff Act, may seize the goods and instigate forfeiture proceedings.
Meanwhile, according to BI, of the 15 Chinese nationals, nine were found to be tourists who were working without proper permits, three were of unknown status (no record of travel found), two had 9G visa, and one had a special working permit.
All 15 Chinese nationals and their cases were referred to BI’s Legal Division for initiation of deportation proceedings.
