The Bureau of Customs (BOC) confiscated around P35 million worth of spoiled assorted meat products in a raid on a warehouse in Meycauayan, Bulacan on July 11, Tuesday. BOC Commissioner Bien Rubio said the operation was in partnership with the Department of Agriculture (DA) and was led by the Customs Intelligence and Investigation Service (CIIS). BOC-CIIS agents discovered these spoiled assorted meat products during a raid on a warehouse in Meycauayan, Bulacan in coordination with the Department of Agriculture. (photo: BOC)
Rubio said the CIIS raided the area after receiving reports of two improvised cold storage facilities containing the spoiled meat products in a warehouse in Meycauayan Industrial Subdivision in Barangay Pantoc, Meycauayan. “Due to the nature of the spoiled pork and beef products, these have already emitted foul odor and their appearance indicate spoilage,” said Rubio. “Since the owners or building administrator were not present at the warehouse to serve the Letter of Authority (LOA), our team proceeded to the subdivision’s homeowners’ association to do substituted service of the LOA,” he added.  The LOA was received instead by Richard C. Vasuno, the Homeonwers Association administrative staff and was witnessed by two barangay officials. Deputy Commissioner for Intelligence Group Juvymax Uy said officials from the Department of Agriculture's Inspectorate and Enforcement (DAIE) and the National Meat Inspection Service (NMIS) were present during the operation.  BOC-CIIS agents discovered these spoiled assorted meat products during a raid on a warehouse in Meycauayan, Bulacan in coordination with the Department of Agriculture. (photo: BOC)
“The DAIE and the NMIS also did initial evaluation of the meat products and, based on the physical appearance and foul odor, the said meat products are determined to be unfit for human consumption,” said Uy.  For his part, CIIS director Verne Enciso hailed the close coordination between the BOC and DA, and expressed gratitude to the barangay and Homeowners Association officials for helping them with the inspection.  “Generally, we don’t see the amount of work that goes into every inspection and operation. This here is a testament to the hard work of our agents, and it was entirely made possible by the cooperation of our officers from the DA and down to the barangay,” said Enciso.  “The recent inspection shows the BOC’s steadfast commitment to safeguard public health and its continued intensified border control and security measures to ensure the safety of the public,” he added.