Latest news with #BOC
GMA Network
2 days ago
- GMA Network
BOC seizes more than 250k liters of smuggled fuel in La Union
The Bureau of Customs (BOC) impounded a tanker with around P219.5 million worth of smuggled fuel in La Union. On Saturday, the BOC said the operation was conducted following reports of a 'paihi' modus, or illegal fuel transfer, at the La Union Port. 'The MT Bernadette was in the process of transferring diesel fuel to a lorry truck when our team apprehended them at around 9:45 in the evening of June 19. Two lorry trucks were found containing diesel fuel from the motor tanker,' BOC-Customs Intelligence and Investigation Services Director Verne Enciso said. The BOC said initial inventory showed there were 200,000 liters of diesel fuel, with an additional 59,000 liters of fuel in two lorry trucks. Ten crew members on board the vessel were unable to show legal justification for their activity. In addition to the crew members, authorities apprehended 11 other individuals who served as drivers, porters, lookouts, and accomplices. The owners, ship captain, and crew of the MT Bernadette and lorry trucks, and the owner of the seized diesel fuel will face administrative and criminal charges for violating the Customs Modernization and Tariff Act (CMTA) and the Tax Reform for Acceleration and Inclusion (TRAIN) Law. — Jiselle Anne Casucian/VBL, GMA Integrated News
GMA Network
3 days ago
- GMA Network
Unclaimed parcels from abroad with P16M worth of illegal drugs seized by BOC
The Bureau of Customs (BOC) has seized several inbound parcels containing illegal drugs worth more than P16 million pesos at the at the Central Mail Exchange Center (CMEC). According to a statement released on Friday, "One parcel from the United States contained 240 grams of marijuana, or 'kush,' another from Thailand with 618 grams of kush, while a parcel from Poland hid five plastic bags of ketamine inside a coffee maker." The BOC said that no one claimed the subject parcels within the 30-day reglementary period and were "deemed impliedly abandoned." "The subject parcels underwent x-ray scanning, where suspicious images were detected, prompting a physical examination. During the inspection, authorities uncovered the illegal substances hidden within the packages," the BOC said. The BOC said that the operation yielded a total of Php16,326,200 worth of illegal drugs. The subject parcels were then turned over to the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) on June 19, 2025, for proper disposition and laboratory examination, including case building against possible suspects. These operations reflect our commitment to proactive enforcement and coordination with our law enforcement counterparts in stopping illegal drugs at the border,' said District Collector Yasmin O. Mapa. —VAL, GMA Integrated News
Belfast Telegraph
4 days ago
- Entertainment
- Belfast Telegraph
When it works, it's magic… Belfast Operatic director on the joys of the job
Gary Redpath reveals upcoming The Sound of Music production at St Anne's Cathedral is one of group's most ambitious yet By day, Gary Redpath is a civil servant, but when the working day ends, he transforms into a director, actor and creative powerhouse at Belfast Operatic Company (BOC) — a group he calls his 'theatre family'. A long-standing member of more than 15 years, Gary is now at the helm of one of BOC's most ambitious productions yet: an immersive staging of The Sound of Music in St Anne's Cathedral.
GMA Network
6 days ago
- GMA Network
BOC intercepts P34.8M worth of shabu, ecstasy at NAIA, Clark
Authorities confiscated 3,004 ecstasy tablets disguised as dog food from Paris, France at the Port of Clark on June 4, 2025. PHOTO: BOC The Bureau of Customs (BOC) intercepted a total of P34.8 million worth of shabu and ecstasy in back-to-back anti-drug operations at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) and Port of Clark. In a news release, the BOC said its operatives at NAIA confiscated 4,368 grams of methamphetamine hydrochloride, or shabu, from the luggage of a passenger arriving from Malaysia last June 14. The shabu seized was valued at P29.7 million. The illegal drugs were discovered during routine baggage screening using x-ray scanners, K-9 inspection, and a physical search. The suspect was immediately taken into custody, according to the BOC. On June 4, the BOC said its operatives at the Port of Clark also foiled an attempt to smuggle 3,004 ecstasy tablets disguised as 'animal food' from Paris, France. In an attempt to evade x-ray detection, the ecstasy tablets worth P5.1 million were hidden inside pouches concealed in dog food pellets. The Customs said all the confiscated narcotics were turned over to the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) for case build-up. The suspects involved in the drug smuggling attempt are facing charges of violating Republic Act No. 9165 or the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act and Republic Act No. 10863 or the Customs Modernization and Tariff Act, according to the BOC. 'These interceptions prove the strength of unified law enforcement,' said Customs Commissioner Bienvenido Rubio. 'Every successful seizure at the border is one less threat to our communities. With the President's vision as our guide, we will remain relentless,' said Rubio. The BOC said it continues to scale up anti-smuggling efforts through tighter screening, better intelligence sharing, and rapid inter-agency coordination. —Ted Cordero/RF, GMA Integrated News
GMA Network
7 days ago
- GMA Network
Almost P8M worth of kush seized in Pasay mail hub — BOC
Authorities intercepted 5.7 kilos of kush with a street value of P7.9 million during a routine inspection at the Central Mail Exchange Center in Pasay City, the Bureau of Customs (BOC) said Monday. BOC said the illegal narcotic, a high-grade variant of marijuana, was found to be concealed within ten parcels, which were flagged for irregularities during x-ray screening and inspected by members of the NAIA Inter-Agency Drug Interdiction Task Group. The kush has been turned over to the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency for further case build up. 'We understand the dangers illegal drugs bring to our families and neighborhoods,' Customs Commissioner Bienvenido Rubio said in a statement. 'That's why we're stepping up inspections, working closely with other agencies, and using every tool we have to stop these substances before they reach our communities,' he added. Authorities are now tracking down the intended recipients. According to Customs, those involved could face charges for violating the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act and the Customs Modernization and Tariff Act. It added the CMEC has long been a key entry point for drug shipments hidden in parcels. 'Our officers remain alert 24/7. This interception is proof of what a united front against smuggling can accomplish,' District Collector Yasmin Mapa said. —Joahna Lei Casilao/RF, GMA Integrated News
