P2M worth of abandoned pyrotechnics confiscated in Iloilo port
The Bureau of Customs (BoC) and the Regional Maritime Office 6 (RMO 6) here have confiscated some P1.8 million to P2 million worth of abandoned firecrackers and pyrotechnics that were earlier declared as toys contained in a 20-footer container van on board the vessel of Sulpicio Lines.
The shipment, which was consigned to a certain Bryan Coo of Ledesma St., Iloilo City, arrived at the Iloilo Port in October 13.
It was temporarily put on hold pending the verification of the item but the consignee failed to appear after five days.
The shipment was opened Monday afternoon and instead of toys, the Customs Police and the RMO 6 operatives found absorbent cottons on the first layer and assorted firecrackers and pyrotechnics on the second layer.
"Nobody claims so I will consider them as abandon shipment, schedule it for an abandoned proceeding and thereafter, if the consignee still fails to appear, that's the time that I will forfeit it and sell it for auction," Atty. Roberto Madrid, Iloilo district collector said.
Madrid said he will ensure all the items will be sold out by December.
The items were from China but were converted to local in Manila and shipped to Iloilo City.
RMO 6 regional officer Supt. Cornelio R. Salinas said the successful operation was already a signal that law enforcers have already put in place measures to ensure that ports and piers even in the remotest areas of Western Visayas will not be used as entry points for illegal activities.
"Our intelligence operatives will be monitoring all goods coming in especially now that we anticipate the influx of firecrackers as the holiday season is fast approaching," Salinas said.
The seized items will be turned over to the Police Regional Office 6 (PRO 6) Explosives Division for safe keeping, according to Madrid. (PNA)