THE Bureau of Customs-NAIA intercepted some P1.5 million worth of assorted firearms, parts and accessories, placed in 28 parcels and illegally-imported at the Central Mail Exchange Center (CMEC).
BOC-NAIA District Collector Carmelita ‘Mimel’ Talusan said the seized items arrived without the required import permit from the Firearms and Explosive Office of the Philippine National Police (FEO-PNP).
“Through the vigilance of BOC-NAIA frontliners, Customs Intelligence & Investigation Service (CIIS-NAIA), Enforcement and Security Service (ESS-NAIA), the subject firearms, parts and accessories were apprehended for violation of Section 117 and Section 1113 of Republic Act No. 10863 (CMTA) in relation to R.A. No. 10591 otherwise know as the Comprehensive Firearms and Ammunition Regulation Act,” said Talusan.
The seized firearms, parts and accessories were turned over to the Enforcement and Security Service-Firearms and Exposive Office (ESS-FEO) for safekeeping pending seizure and forfeiture proceedings.
Talusan said that in full support of the intensified enforcement and prosecution of the smuggling drive of Commissioner Rey Leonardo Guerrero, the case records of the seized items will be referred to the Bureau Action Team Against Smugglers (BATAS) and Legal Service for further investigation, case buildup and prosecution of importers and their conspirators for violation of Section 1401 (Unlawful Importation) of Republic Act No. 10863 (CMTA) in relation to R.A. No. 10591 otherwise know as the “Comprehensive Firearms and Ammunition Regulation Act.”
She also assured the public that despite the COVID-19 pandemic, the BOC-NAIA personnel will continue to remain focused on their collective efforts to protect the country’s premier airport against all fraudulent and illegal attempts to import high-risk commodities like firearms, parts and accessories, aside from dangerous drugs and other contraband inimical to national security and public health.
