If we really do have an open border with Mexico, is this the type of trade we can expect?
… customs has ordered meat coming from China condemned because of the outbreak of foot and mouth disease (FMD) and bird flu in the country…
P20 million worth of 'hot' meat seized in Mexico
By Marna H. Dagumboy
Sun Star Network Online
November 29, 2006
Philippines press
CAMP OLIVAS -- Anti-smuggling agents on Tuesday confiscated some P20 million worth of smuggled and rotten meat from a cold storage facility in the Pampanga town of Mexico.
The meat, discovered by Task Force Anti-Smuggling operatives at the Kayabe Ice Plant and Cold Storage, had been reported "missing" two months ago by the Bureau of Customs.
Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG) Chief Jesus Bersoza said the seizure of the 60,000 kilos of rotten meat was the result of an investigation conducted by the task force with the assistance of the Pampanga provincial police.
The task force is composed of customs and CIDG agents.
The group was tasked to investigate the loss of approximately two container vans of meat from China that came into the country on August 27. The consignee was named as the Asia Marketing Corporation (AMC).
He said customs has ordered meat coming from China condemned because of the outbreak of foot and mouth disease (FMD) and bird flu in the country.
Customs Commissioner Napoleon Morales said he has directed his men to validate the importation documents of the entrepreneur who rented the cold storage space at Kayabe and determine if these are legal.
Morales said anybody could import so long as the documents for importation are complete and legal.
"You can run, but you can't hide," he warned the people trying to smuggle rotten meat into the country.
He also assured that the people involved in the incident will be dealt with accordingly.
Pampanga Provincial Police Director Leonardo Espina said the police will do their best to identify those behind the meat smuggling.
The owner of Kayabe ice plant, Allan David, said they are not required by law to determine if the meat was smuggled or not before allowing an individual or group to use their facility.
On November 10, four container vans of smuggled meat from China were also seized by personnel of the Guagua police and agriculture department. The shipment was earlier declared as frozen mackerel but contained frozen chicken and pork from China. (Sun.Star Pampanga/Sunnex)
sunstar.com.ph