MANILA, Philippines - Some P25 million worth of smuggled items, including motorcycles and bicycle tires, were seized by the Bureau of Customs (BOC) recently.

BOC Commissioner Ruffy Biazon said importer Royal Halo Enterprises tried to pass its shipment of 36,000 bicycle tires and tire flaps from China, with an estimated dutiable value of P22 million, as bicycle bumps, pedals and chains.

Another company, Cimberly Enterprises, brought into the country a completely knocked down Suzuki station wagon, three Honda motorcycles and a Yamaha scooter, which were declared as mini-tractors, grass cutters, compressors, motorbike parts and gasoline engines.

Both of the shipments arrived in October last year and were discovered during scanning by officials of the BOC's so-called X-Ray Project.

“Importers who think they can earn big money easily through illegal importation may find themselves, not just losing money instead, but in deep trouble with the law as well,” Biazon said.

BOC X-Ray Project head Lourdes Mangaoang warned those trying to slip illegal goods into the country through misdeclaration. "Our scanners are three times more powerful than the ones being used in the United States."

Biazon has ordered the filing of appropriate charges against the people involved in the illegal importations.