Customs seizes millions-worth of gadgets in warehouse raid

Metro Manila (CNN Philippines) — The Bureau of Customs (BOC) seized high-end electronic devices worth millions of pesos, which were allegedly smuggled into the country.

Customs Commissioner Nicanor Faeldon said the agency acted on intelligence reports that online shop Kim Store was selling imported devices under suspicious importation schemes.

Intelligence Officer Joel Pinawin said Kim Store is owned by a Filipino-Chinese businessman identified as "Francis," operating in Binondo.

Pinawin said the staff of Kim Store's depot failed to present documents to the Customs Intelligence and Investigation (CIIS) operating unit.

The BOC raided their depot building in Tondo, Manila on Monday.

CIIS Director Neil Estrella said they seized different brands and models of high-end smartphones, laptops, cameras, tablet devices, audio accessories, and security gadgets.

The seized electronics are now padlocked in the Kim Store depot guarded by CIIS agents.

"There are plenty of cases that high-end communication and electronic gadgets are smuggled into the country through misdeclaration schemes, a top form of smuggling, used by smugglers to defraud and avoid paying correct duties and taxes to the government," Estrella said in a press release.

He said the BOC often conducts raids in warehouses, storehouses, and depots.