The Bureau of Customs Commissioner (BOC), National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) and the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) conducted the inspection of some P35.4-million worth of imported agricultural products that were seized from a cold storage facility in the town of Talavera, Nueva Ecija on 01 June 2026.
BOC Commissioner Ariel F. Nepomuceno together with the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) Director Atty. Melvin A. Matibag led the inspection of the imported agricultural product that were seized during an operation by the government.
The operation stemmed from information provided by the NBI regarding alleged agricultural smuggling and possible violations of the Anti-Agricultural Economic Sabotage Act and the Customs Modernization and Tariff Act (CMTA).
Acting on the report, the Bureau of Customs–Intelligence Group (BOC-IG) and the Customs Intelligence and Investigation Service–Manila International Container Port (CIIS-MICP), in coordination with the NBI and the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG), conducted enforcement operations at the subject facility.
Authorities discovered various imported agricultural products, including 6,088 bags of small yellow onions from Holland, 1,080 bags of big yellow onions from China, 3,780 bags of big red onions from China, and 12,350 bags of garlic from China. The seized goods have a total estimated value of P35,437,198.00.
A Warrant of Seizure and Detention was issued on 21 May 2026 for violation of Section 224 of the CMTA. The operation supports the directive of President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. to strengthen food security, safeguard the agriculture sector, and ensure strict compliance with customs and trade regulations.
Furthermore, the NBI is conducting an investigation against the importer and other liable parties for possible violations of the Anti-Agricultural Economic Sabotage Act. The BOC is also carrying out an internal investigation to determine whether any personnel may have been involved in the unlawful importation and movement of the seized goods.
