MANILA— The Bureau of Customs (BOC) has asked the Bureau of Immigration (BI) to issue an Immigration Lookout Bulletin Order (ILBO) against 13 individuals facing criminal complaints over the alleged unlawful importation of agricultural products.

However, the customs bureau did not disclose the names of the individuals.

The request stemmed from criminal complaints filed with the Department of Justice (DOJ) on September 24 involving six shipments consigned to Berches Trading.

According to the BOC, the shipments were declared as containing “chicken lollipops” but were found to contain thousands of sacks of fresh onions and boxes of carrots that allegedly lacked the required regulatory clearances.

“We will use every legal measure available to hold accountable all those responsible. Anyone who enables, facilitates, or takes part in smuggling will have to answer for it. We will pursue these cases wherever the evidence leads,” Commissioner Nepomuceno said.

The individuals covered by the ILBO request include the importer’s owner and representatives, its licensed customs broker, and nine BOC officials and employees allegedly linked to the shipments.

In a letter to BI Commissioner Joel Anthony M. Viado, the BOC said the lookout order would allow authorities to monitor the international travel of the individuals and help ensure their availability for the ongoing investigation and any subsequent proceedings, subject to applicable laws, rules and regulations.

The BOC also asked the BI to consider a supplemental list should the ongoing investigation identify additional individuals connected to the cases.

The bureau said it would continue pursuing administrative and legal action against those allegedly involved in agricultural smuggling, including individuals from both the private sector and within the BOC.