P1.7-M SMUGGLED WHITE ONIONS FROM CHINA MISDECLARED AS CHICKEN KARAAGE STRIPS SEIZED IN PAMPANGA

AGENTS of the Philippine National Police-Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (PNP-CIDG) on Saturday confiscated an estimated P1.7 million worth of white onions smuggled from China misdeclared as chicken karaage strips in an operation in Pampanga.

Four Chinese nationals said to be involved in the smuggling of the white onions from Mainland China identified as alias “Shengren, Jialong, Wei and Dewen,”were arrested in raid at a warehouse in Bgy. Laug in Mexico, Pampanga.

Members of the CIDG Pampanga Provincial Field Unit and the local police conducted the operation.

PNP-CIDG director Maj. Gen. Nicolas D. Torre said the white onions misdeclared as chicken karaage strips or Jaoanese fried chicken were found loaded in two 40-footer container vans.

The arrested Chinese nationals were charged before the National Prosecution Service with violation of Section 7 paragraph (c) and (e) of Republic Act 12022 or the Anti-Agricultural Sabotage Act in relation to RA 10845 or the Anti-Agricultural Smuggling Act of 2016, and tax evasion through misclassification, misdeclaration or undervaluation of imported goods.