BOC seizes UK-bound parcel with live millipedes
Customs agents at Ninoy Aquino International Airport (Naia) have seized a package bound for the United Kingdom that was found to contain live millipedes.
The package was intercepted on Nov. 19 at a warehouse in Pasay City, the Bureau of Customs (BOC-Naia) said on Monday. Its contents had been declared as “assorted consumer goods” such as powdered juice, face masks, instant noodles, delicacies and picture frames, among other items.
But during the X-ray screening, the BOC noted “irregularities” in the scanned images, leading to further inspection that revealed live millipedes hidden in eight small plastic containers. It added that the incident constituted a violation of the Customs Modernization and Tariff Act, particularly for misdeclaration and unlawful exportation.
DENR turnover
The millipedes have since been turned over to the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) for proper handling and disposition.
Following the incident, Customs District Collector Yasmin Mapa highlighted the importance of complying with customs requirements, adding that the BOC will continue to “ensure that our outbound cargo facilities are not exploited for illicit activities involving wildlife or other regulated commodities.”
Customs Commissioner Ariel Nepomuceno also expressed the BOC’s commitment to “enforcing customs laws and preventing the unauthorized transport of regulated or prohibited items.”
