Pasay city: The Bureau of Customs-Ninoy Aquino International Airport (BOC-NAIA) has reported the interception of an outbound parcel containing eight containers of live millipedes, which were misdeclared as assorted consumer goods in a warehouse in Pasay City. The shipment, intended for the United Kingdom, was falsely declared to include items such as juice powder mix, face masks, a wooden jewelry box, instant noodles, delicacies, a plastic photo frame, and craft items.
According to Philippines News Agency, the irregularities in the shipment were detected during screening by the X-Ray Inspection Project (XIP) on November 19. The scanned images revealed discrepancies that led to the parcel being flagged. The seized wildlife specimens were subsequently handed over to representatives of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) for appropriate handling and disposition.
The incident is a violation of Republic Act 10863, known as the Customs Modernization and Tariff Act, specifically Section 1400 regarding misdeclaration and Section 1401 concerning unlawful importation/exportation. BOC Commissioner Ariel Nepomuceno praised the personnel involved in the operation for their vigilance.
"This operation highlights the Bureau's strengthened capability in detecting attempts to misdeclare goods, particularly shipments involving wildlife species. The BOC remains committed to enforcing customs laws and preventing the unauthorized transport of regulated or prohibited items," he stated. The apprehension aligns with President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.'s directive to enhance border protection and ensure strict compliance with customs regulations.
