Manila, Oct. 22 -- The Bureau of Customs (BOC) has intercepted three 40-foot containers of misdeclared fresh carrots from China, worth over PHP13.2 million at the Port of Manila (POM).

Assistant Commissioner Vincent Philip Maronilla, together with other key BOC officials, inspected the shipment of illicit agricultural goods at the port on Wednesday.

He reported that the shipment arrived on Oct. 2. Six days later, District Collector Alexander Gerard Alviar issued an Alert Order against the shipment when the POM Alert Monitoring Unit received a derogatory report.

Upon full physical examination conducted on Oct. 17, Customs examiners discovered 53,283.88 kg. of fresh carrots, which were declared as bathroom fixtures, napkins, and storage ...