AROUND P13.5 million worth of smuggled onions was incinerated and buried in a pit inside the facility of Terra Cycliq Corporation in Mantibugao, Manolo Fortich in Bukidnon.

The onions were seized by the Customs Intelligence and Investigation Service of the Bureau of Customs-Port of Cagayan de Oro following an intelligence report regarding the shipment.

The shipment arrived at the Mindanao Container Terminal Sub-Port last August 10, 2021 from China and was consigned to  JDFallar Consumer Goods Trading.

Authorities said the shipment was declared as "cream cheese" and "frozen puff pastries".

District Collector of Cagayan de Oro Port lawyer Elvira Cruz immediately issued an alert order against the shipment and was subjected to physical examination resulting in the discovery of the onions.

Cruz reiterated her warning against unscrupulous importers that misdeclaration of goods defrauds the government of its rightful revenues.

The consignee is set to face charges for violation of the Customs Modernization and Tariff Act.