Customs officials intercept international shipment carrying valuable smuggled goods: ‘serves as clear evidence’

Customs officials in the Philippines have intercepted a misdeclared shipment of one of the world’s most trafficked tree products.

according to FreemanThe Customs Bureau seized an illegal shipment of agarwood worth more than 8 million Philippine pesos ($142,000).

The parcels were falsely declared as alingatong – or stinging nettle – and were to be sent to the UAE and Malaysia. However, the customs inspection determined that the material was agarwood.

Agarwood, also known as agarwood, is a rare and aromatic wood that is harvested from the inside of the Aquilaria plant, a genus of tropical Asian trees, after it has been infected with a specific rot.

To fight infection, the tree secretes a dense, fragrant resin that is commonly used in cosmetics, perfumes, incense, and as herbal medicine.

Its scent, rarity, and long harvesting process make it one of the most expensive woods in the world – and one of the most trafficked.

The value of the oud trade is estimated at billions of US dollars and is expected to reach that Growing significantly Over the next ten years, according to Strait Research. This can be devastating to tree species.

When species are smuggled or mis-advertised, they can become invasive, introduce new diseases or pests, and endanger native species. Continuous exploitation of a species, whether by hunting or harvesting, can endanger it and lead to its extinction.

Despite Aquilaria’s legal protection under the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species, most agarwood-producing tree species are vulnerable to extinction. It is considered endangered Due to over-harvesting. Conservationists are working hard to help residents recover.

Bureau of Customs Commissioner Ariel F. Nepomuceno said the seizure of the shipment shows the country’s commitment to preserving the environment.

“This interception serves as clear evidence that the Bureau of Customs’ commitment to combating illicit trade remains steadfast, particularly in implementing and enforcing environmental and wildlife protection laws to ensure protected species are not endangered and our natural resources remain safe from illegal activities,” Freeman said.

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