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Manila Bulletin devider devider BOC finds P1M worth of high-end ammos in 6 balikbayan boxes

BOC finds P1M worth of high-end ammos in 6 balikbayan boxes

Published Dec 22, 2018 03:21 pm
By Raymund Antonio Ahead of Christmas Day, intelligence agents from the Bureau of Customs (BOC) found P1 million worth of high-end ammunitions and magazines smuggled into the country through six balikbayan boxes. (MANILA BULLETIN) (MANILA BULLETIN) The ammunitions were sent by Alex Agustin from California, United States and consigned to Arnel Velasco, but it was coursed to Lario Vecencio, of San Isidro Street, San Marcelino in Zambales. The contents of the duty and tax-free balikbayan boxes were misdeclared as 390 packages of household goods and personal effects. These smuggled items, according to BOC intelligence officer 2 Alvin Enciso, are intended for sale in the underground gun market. “These are the expensive, specialized types of ammunition. There is a demand for high-end ammunition in the country and it reaps big profit,” said Enciso, supervisor of the Customs Intelligence and Investigation Service at the Manila International Container Port (MICPO). In his memorandum to BOC-CIIS Director Jeoffrey Tacio, Enciso said the following were found inside the balikbayan boxes: •       10 boxes of Rifle Line ammunition (50 cartridges of 30 carbine spm 110 gr/7.13 per box) •        30 boxes of Wolf performance ammunition (20 cartridges of 7.62 x 39mm per box) •        50 pieces of 33 rounder magazine of 9mm Glock •        22 pieces of military backpack and accessories The BOC uncovered the contraband inside the balikbayan boxes that were mixed with three pieces of used t-shirt, three pieces of BTLS bottled water, and one bottle of hot sauce. The seizure of several ammunitions came after Tacio got a tip about the balikbayan boxes on December 6. Enciso said the balikbayan boxes were sent to Vecencio’s house in Zambales, but no one claimed the packages so these were returned to the forwarder’s warehouse in Paranaque City, where CIIS agents opened and inspected them on Dec. 19. He said that Vecencio was the same person who was arrested in September for the ammunition that were illegally shipped to the Philippines through balikbayan boxes. Vecencio is now facing charges before the Department of Justice for the illegal shipment of ammunition and violation of Republic Act 10591 or the Comprehensive Firearms and Ammunition Regulation Act. Authorities are tracking down the whereabouts of Velasco and his cohorts. The seized items would be under the custody of the Philippine National Police once MICP collector Filemon Mendoza Jr. issues a warrant of seizure and detention against the shipment.
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