MANILA – The Bureau of Customs (BOC), through its Port of Cagayan de Oro (CDO) and in coordination with the Department of Agriculture (DA), has intercepted an estimated 25,500 kilograms of red onions concealed in boxes of egg noodles at the Mindanao Container Terminal in Tagoloan, Misamis Oriental.

The red onions, with an estimated market value of ₱2 million, were found during a spot-check inspection conducted on June 11, 2025, after the BOC received a tip from the DA–Bureau of Plant Industry about possible misdeclared goods.

The shipment arrived from China on May 26, 2025, and was declared to contain egg noodles, frozen croissant dough, frozen dough buns, pizza dough, and spring rolls.

The inspection was carried out by a Customs Examiner and witnessed by representatives from the BOC’s Enforcement and Security Service (ESS), Customs Intelligence and Investigation Service (CIIS), X-Ray Inspection Project (XIP), and the Philippine Chamber of Customs Brokers Inc.

“This is the result of strengthened inter-agency coordination between the Bureau of Customs and the Department of Agriculture, aimed at safeguarding our national borders against the entry of smuggled goods that pose risks not only to public health but also to the livelihood of our local farmers,” said Port District Collector Arthur G. Sevilla, Jr.

Agriculture Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr., who inspected the seized goods on June 24, 2025, thanked the BOC for the interception. He said the DA had been monitoring shipments from the same company after similar containers were intercepted in Manila.

“There were similar containers from the same company that were intercepted in Manila, so we traced them and alerted all ports to monitor any containers from this company coming from China. Thanks to the BOC, we were able to intercept this shipment. This is a warning to agricultural smugglers, we will not stop going after you. We will file the appropriate cases,” Laurel said.

The DA will conduct laboratory tests to determine if the smuggled onions are safe for consumption. If deemed safe, the onions will be donated; if not, they will be properly disposed of.

A Warrant of Seizure and Detention was issued in accordance with Republic Act No. 10863 or the Customs Modernization and Tariff Act and other relevant regulations.

BOC Commissioner Bienvenido Rubio reaffirmed the agency’s commitment to curbing agricultural smuggling, in line with President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.’s directive to protect local farmers and ensure market integrity.

“We owe it to our farmers, consumers, and the nation to ensure that no smuggled agricultural product makes it to our markets. Our continued partnership with the DA is key to fulfilling this duty,” Rubio said.