P5M worth of smuggled onions, other agri goods seized in CdO 

CUSTOMS and law enforcement authorities found over the weekend millions worth of suspected smuggled agricultural products at a warehouse in Cagayan de Oro (CdO) in southern Philippines.

The Bureau of Customs, in a statement on Sunday, said the warehouse located in Barangay Puntod was inspected and confirmed to contain imported garlic, onion, mung beans, carrots, and other assorted commodities.

“The agricultural products shall be subject to seizure and forfeiture proceedings under Section 224 of the Customs Modernization and Tariff Act if the necessary import documents are not presented within 15 days,” Customs said.

Sacks of red onions with an estimated value of P5 million were immediately seized from the storage facility as the Department of Agriculture verified that it has not issued an importation permit for these.

The warehouse has been sealed and activities within the area have been suspended until clearance requirements for the other products are completed, the bureau said.