BOC files smuggling rap v. G-Shock importers

Samples of the 413 Casio G-Shock watches seized by the Bureau of Customs last August that were concealed inside six Balikbayan Boxes. The Bureau filed smuggling-related case against the six consignees of the boxes. Photo by Tetch Torres-Tupas, INQUIRER.net

MANILA, Philippines—The Bureau of Customs (BOC) on Friday filed a complaint for smuggling against six persons involved in the smuggling 413 Casio G-Shock watches worth P7.4-million.

Facing a complaint for violation of the Tariff and Customs Code of the Philippines before the Department of Justice (DOJ) are Zenaida Valencia, Jennifer Valencia, Edward Ochave, Clarisse Karingal, Genevieve Ochave and Edmund Discutido.

The case stemmed from the entry of six Balikbayan Boxes from Bahrain last August. These were shipped on the same flight and on the same day through Forex U-Mac Bahrain and its counterpart, U-Mac Forex Cargo Philippines. The boxes were declared to contain personal effects such as shoes and clothing, beddings, groceries, candies and chocolates.

However, derogatory information from the Bureau’s Intelligence Group prompted the 100% physical inspection of the boxes, revealing the watches inside. The misdeclaration was intended to evade payment of duties and taxes amounting to over P1-Million.

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