QUEZON CITY -- Agriculture Secretary William Dar announced the seizure of an estimated P70-million worth of smuggled assorted vegetables by the Sub-Task Group Economic Intelligence in the Port of Subic on November 18, 2021.

The operation was participated in by personnel from the Department of Agriculture (DA), Department of Trade and Industry (DTI), Bureau of Customs (BOC), National Intelligence Coordinating Administration (NICA), and Philippine National Police (PNP).

The Sub-Task Group Economic Intelligence led by its alternate chair and DA Asst. Sec PBGen Federico Laciste Jr. (Ret), together with Port of Subic Collector Maritess Martin, representatives from DTI led by Mina Forteza, and personnel NICA conducted the operations against unscrupulous importers of agri-fishery products from China.

Earlier, the Port of Subic was alerted with the arrival of 22 40-foot reefer container vans under consignees JKJ International Company and EMV Consumer Goods Trading. The vans were suspected to be containing misdeclared agricultural products.

The inspection conducted by the authorities on the shipment yielded positive result with the discovery of misdeclared carrots, broccoli, and assorted vegetables inside the container vans.

The seized items were declared “Mantou” (Chinese steamed bun) with an estimated value of P70 million.

Just recently, Asst. Sec. Laciste attended a meeting with the local producers of highland vegetables in Baguio City. They complained of the continuous presence of imported highland vegetables in the local markets, which is severely affecting their livelihood. These imported vegetables are sold at a cheaper price due to non-payment of tariffs. (DA)