Latin America edges up growth forecasts but remains trapped in low gear, ECLAC says
9 hours ago
The Philippines Bureau of Customs (BOC) has seized smuggled carrots worth an estimated PHP13.2mn ($222,000) at the Port of Manila, after uncovering a shipment from China falsely declared as dry goods and household items according to The Philippine Star.
The cargo, consigned to Fourth Consumer Goods Trading, contained more than 53,000 kilograms of carrots that were already beginning to rot the report adds. The shipment, which arrived on October 2, had been declared as dry goods, bathroom fixtures, napkins and storage boxes in an apparent attempt to evade detection.
According to the BOC, the vegetables were transported in a standard dry container rather than a refrigerated one — a tactic believed to be part of a new smuggling method developed after tighter customs screening of imported agricultural products. Officials in the Philippines said the shipment had not undergone inspection by the Department of Agriculture, raising concerns that chemicals may have been used to preserve the carrots during transport according to the report.
The bureau also confirmed that criminal charges would be filed against those responsible under the Anti-Agricultural Smuggling Act, a non-bailable offence carrying penalties of life imprisonment. Authorities estimated that the illicit consignment would have generated around PHP1.3mn in duties and taxes had it been legally declared.
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