Close to 300 carnivorous plants illegally imported from the Netherlands were seized by airport Customs authorities at a bonded warehouse in Pasay City on Monday, July 5, 2021.
The plants were discovered during the examination of 10 packages that were found without the required Sanitary and Phytosanitary Import Clearance and permit from the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species (CITES).
The carnivorous plants were identified as Drosera, Nepenthes, Dionaea, Sarracenia, Pinguicula, and Cephalotus. The haul has a total value of P150,000.
Carnivorous plants, sometimes called insectivorous plants are any plant specially adapted for capturing and digesting insects and other animals by means of ingenious pitfalls and traps.
Carnivorous plants have been globally declared as critically endangered and are among the world’s rarest and most endangered flora. The collection and trade of these insect-eating plants are restricted under Republic Act (RA) 9147, otherwise known as the Philippine Wildlife Resources Conservation and Protection Act.
The intercepted packages were subsequently turned over to the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) for rehabilitation and care.
The importers are also to face criminal prosecution.
The foiled smuggling attempt will be referred to the Bureau Action Team Against Smugglers (BATAS) Legal Service of the Bureau of Customs for further case build-up and prosecution.
The airport Customs district headed by Collector Carmelita M. Talusan said it has full confidence in its partnership with the DENR to strengthen border control against the illegal trade in flora and fauna.
Image courtesy of BOC