By BETHEENA UNITE
Close to 40 parcels of poker chips and other gambling paraphernalia with no import permit were intercepted by the Bureau of Customs at a warehouse in Port of NAIA Tuesday.
A total of 38 parcels containing 75 poker-chip sets, dealer chips, and other gambling items were discovered at the Central Mail Exchange Center in Pasay.
The items, according to the bureau, were shipped into the country without the required permit from the Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation (PAGCOR).
District Collector Carmelita Talusan said the discovery of the smuggled items was in coordination with the Philippine Postal Corporation.
“Thru the vigilance of BOC-NAIA frontliners, Customs Intelligence & Investigation Service, Enforcement and Security Service, X-ray Inspection Project, shipments were apprehended in violation of Section 119 (b) of the R.A. 10863 or the Customs Modernization and Tariff Act (CMTA),” Talusan said.
The intercepted poker sets, dealer chips, and other gambling paraphernalia will be turned over to the Auction and Cargo Disposal Division for safe keeping pending seizure and forfeiture proceedings.
After the finality of decision of forfeiture, the forfeited gambling paraphernalia shall be turned over to PAGCOR pursuant to Section 1147 (b) of the CMTA (Disposition of gambling outfits, apparatus, paraphernalia), Talusan furthered.
