Bag of passenger from Singapore held over undeclared jewels

Undeclared jewelry found in the passenger's luggage

CUSTOMS officials at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport Terminal 2 on Sunday  held the check-in-luggage of a lady passenger who arrived from Singapore for containing undeclared assorted jewelry weighing  least a kilo.

Customs collector-on-duty Paul Urrea identified the passenger as A. S. Flores, a resident of Pasay City and residing in Singapore for over eleven years.

Urrea said the jewelry were  uncovered after a black suitcase of Flores passed through the X-ray machine past 3 p.m. on Sept.  24.

Customs examiner Espiritu,  and supervisor Clark Villa together with Customs police Alona de Guzman invited Flores to the customs interline baggage room for examination, and when she opened her luggage it yielded assorted jewelry.

Flores told customs officials that the jewelry were mere “fashion jewelry” which she brought in as early Christmas gift to her relatives and friends.

Urrea said  among those found from Flores’ luggage were earrings, necklace, and bracelets. The Customs gemologist will determine if the jewelry are genuine and taxable or not.

The jewelry were kept at the Customs vault for safekeeping and will be released to Flores as soon as the gemologist findings were released and corresponding taxes will be imposed to Flores for failing to declare the items.