Manila, June 19 -- The Bureau of Customs (BOC) on Friday filed the second batch of criminal complaints against five cargo forwarding firms implicated in fraudulent balikbayan box operations.

Customs Commissioner Ariel Nepomuceno led the filing of complaints against Ikthus Trading Corp., Marcelo D. Laylo Cargo Forwarders, Me Amoree International Consumer Goods Trading, MT De Guzman Non-Specialized Wholesale Trading, and Cargoflex Haulers Corp. for various violations of the Customs Modernization and Tariff Act (CMTA) and other applicable laws.

The cases involve 3,176 abandoned balikbayan boxes discovered in several ports nationwide.

Investigations uncovered alleged schemes involving fraudulent misdeclaration and undervaluation of goods,...