The Bureau of Customs (BoC) in the first 10 months this year has confiscated almost P13 billion worth of illicit goods, including the powerful stimulant locally known as shabu or methamphetamine.

In his report to Finance Secretary Carlos Dominguez III, Customs Commissioner Rey Leonardo Guerrero said the BoC confiscated some P12.92 billion worth of smuggled goods, mostly counterfeits and tobacco products.

According to Guerrero, counterfeit products comprised the majority of the stock, totaling P7.81 billion as of 24 October this year and were intercepted in 14 different incidents in various ports.

Foiled shabu shipments, on the other hand, reached P2.96 billion. Collection from other illegal substances stood at P151.74 million in the same period.

“Cigarettes and other tobacco products valued at P1.69 billion were also confiscated by the BoC, along with P107.59 million-worth of agricultural products,” Guerrero said.

Other seized goods worth P202.11 million include vehicles and accessories, used clothing, steel product and general merchandise.

The BoC chief also cited 20 cases filed against illegal operations that hamper their revenue collection and revoked the accreditation of 160 importers and 20 brokers.

Meanwhile, latest data from the Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) show 567 establishments temporarily padlocked under the agency’s Oplan Kandado program.

BIR Deputy Commissioner Arnel Guballa said the latest figure reflects a massive 346 percent increase versus only 127 closures last year.

“As a result, the BIR was able to collect P798.7 million in taxes from the delinquent establishments over the January to October 2019 period,” Guballa said.

Also, the recorded figure was P444.9 million or 125.75 percent higher than the previous year’s collection of P353.8 million.

The Department of Finance is actively implementing measures that counter illegal trade activities.