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Authorities intercepted four trucks carrying allegedly misdeclared mobile phones valued at about P221.5 million during an early morning operation in Quezon City, the Highway Patrol Group (]HPG) said on Thursday.
According to HPG Director Brig. Gen. Hansel Marantan, the vehicles were flagged down along Mindanao Avenue in Barangay Bahay Toro after traffic enforcers noted license plate and seatbelt violations.
Upon inspection, officers found that the cargo, which shipping documents described as cellphone accessories, actually consisted of fully assembled mobile phones, raising suspicions of misdeclaration.
Marantan said the apparent discrepancy prompted authorities to turn over the shipment to the Bureau of Customs (BOC) for further investigation.
The HPG said the trucks, which reportedly originated from Central Luzon, were impounded by its National Capital Region (NCR) unit pending the outcome of the probe.
Bureau of Customs Enforcement Group (BOC-EG) chief Brig. Gen. Nolasco Bathan said the agency would first secure a warrant of seizure and detention before determining who would claim the shipment and what documents supported its entry into the country.
The four drivers were issued citation tickets and allowed to leave, with authorities noting their cooperation with the ongoing investigation.
