THERE has been an increase in the entry of gun replicas in the country, prompting Customs officials to double their efforts in intercepting these through newly installed X-ray machines.
"We have intercepted three containers full of Airsoft guns since June," Julito Doria, head of the Bureau of Customs (BOC) X-Ray Inspection Project, said in an interview.
Doria said original Japanese Airsoft guns, used in military simulation games, cost P12,000 each. However, those that were smuggled into the Philippines from China cost only P5,000.
"The counterfeit Airsoft guns enter the country [in huge quantities]," he said, adding that the importers declare the shipment as plastic toys to evade further scrutiny.
Doria, however, said his group was able to detect several packages of gun replicas on July 2 inside the shipment of a container van from China through the X-ray machines.
Less than two weeks later, the Customs personnel were able to intercept another shipment consigned to Kat-Leen Trading. The cargo contained P224,624 worth of gun replicas.
"Because they are exact replicas of real guns and could be used in criminal activities, the Philippine National Police (PNP) has issued a circular regulating Airsoft products," Doria said.
He said that the installation of more X-ray machines in other major ports would greatly help in intercepting more of the gun replicas.
"In just two months of its full-blast operation, the X-ray project, which is under the direct supervision of the Commissioner of Customs, was able to [collect] various items and shipment worth millions that were recommended either for seizure or payment of additional duties and taxes," Doria said in his report to Customs Commissioner Napoleon Morales.
He said the deployment of more state-of-the-art X-ray machines in other major ports in the country would prevent the entry of contraband, guns, drugs and other anti-social goods.
"There would also be an increase in revenue collection as a result of proper declaration of importation," he said.
source: http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/breakingnews/metro/view_article.php?article_id=89543
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