PHILIPPINES-50 tons of smuggled meat confiscated
The Bureau of Customs (BoC) has confiscated P32.6 million worth of smuggled frozen meat and onions at the Manila International Container Port.
In a statement released yesterday, the BoC said the illegal shipments were placed in eight 40-foot containers and were consigned to different companies.
The bureau said two of the containers held around 50 tons of frozen boneless beef from Australia. The shipment, worth around P19.63 million, was reportedly consigned to Natasha Food Corp. and did not have the appropriate veterinary quarantine clearance. Meat importers are required to secure such clearances before the shipments depart from their country of origin.
The BoC said two other containers held 29,000 kilos of Tender Choice Brand frozen chicken from the United States worth P5.88 million. It claimed that Tet and Pal Meatshop, the consignee of the shipment, presented an expired veterinary quarantine clearance.
"We are looking into the possibility of auctioning these [frozen beef and chicken] off since the containers have remained plugged and the quality of meat uncompromised since arrival and these come from USA and Australia and not China or other banned countries of origin for meat and meat products," said Customs Intelligence Chief Dino Tuason.
He added that they are consulting with the Agriculture Department on how to dispose of the shipment.
"If the shipments would be found fit for human consumption and approved for sale, the auctioning off of the goods would bring in more revenues," Mr. Tuason said.
For his part, Customs Commissioner Napoleon L. Morales said he has ordered his men to monitor the entry of agricultural products, noting that smuggling would lead to unfair competition and could pose hazards to public health.
The BoC said the remaining four containers contained 118.39 metric tons of fresh onions from Mumbai, India that were not covered by any plant quarantine clearance. It added that the consignee, Candlestick Trading Inc., has issued a letter denying ownership of the shipment.
"The onions have begun to deteriorate since the containers were unplugged. These will be disposed of through destruction," Mr. Tuason said. Mr. Morales said he has directed BOC Legal Service Director Simplicio Domingo to investigate and file appropriate cases against the importers of the shipments.
