TO PROTECT PUBLIC health from the dangers of illicit goods, the Bureau of Customs (BOC), through the Port of Subic, condemned five containers of smuggled agricultural products. These were dumped immediately.ย
The shipments, which contained assorted frozen meat, fish, preserved fruits, vegetables, and other perishable items, were forfeited when found lacking of sanitary certificate, a violation of Department of Agriculture directive, in relation to Section 1113(f) of Republic Act 10863 or the Customs Modernization and Tariff Act (CMTA).
The condemnation ensures that agricultural goods deemed hazardous or unfit for human consumption are properly disposed of. This measure safeguards the consumer from health risks posed by unsafe, unregulated, and illegally imported food products, as directed by Customs Commissioner Ariel F. Nepomuceno.
With this move, the government delivers a strong warning to smugglersโthat public health and safety will never be compromised.