A container with 980 master cases of smuggled cigarettes worth an estimated P26 million was apprehended on September 18 at the Port of Davao by the Bureau of Customs (BOC).
The shipment was declared as containing plastic cups and consigned to Goldsmith Trading.
Following derogatory information against the shipment, BOC-Davao district collector Erastus Sandino Austria issued an alert order that led to 100% physical examination of the container which revealed 980 master cases of cigarettes branded as More, Mighty, D&B, and Marvel, among others.
A warrant of seizure and detention (WSD) was issued against the shipment for possible violation of Executive Order No. 245, also known as the Amended Rules and Regulations Governing the Exportation and Importation of Leaf Tobacco and Tobacco Products; National Tobacco Administration (NTA) Memorandum Circular No. 03, series of 2004; NTA Board resolution No. 079-2005; and Section 155 of Republic Act (RA) No. 8293 (Intellectual Property Code of the Philippines) in relation to Section 1113 (f) and Section 117 in connection with Section 1401 of RA 10863, otherwise known as the Customs Modernization and Tariff Act.
