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The Bureau of Customs and the Department of the Interior and Local Government seized P275 million worth of tobacco products, cigarette-making machines, and raw materials in a series of joint operations in Pampanga province
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At the first warehouse in the town of Mexico, agents discovered approximately P160 million worth of dried tobacco leaves, recycled cigarettes, cigarette filters and other manufacturing materials
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The second warehouse in San Simon yielded raw and processed tobacco materials, tobacco manufacturing machinery, packaging materials, and related equipment valued at around P115 million
The Bureau of Customs (BOC) and the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) seized P275 million worth of tobacco products, cigarette-making machines, and raw materials in a series of joint operations in the province of Pampanga.
Armed with a letter of authority (LOA), the BOC said in a news release that two consecutive operations were conducted on February 13 and 14, led by the Customs Intelligence and Investigation Service and the Enforcement and Security Service–Port of Limay, in close coordination with the Philippine National Police, local government authorities, and other partner enforcement agencies.
At the first warehouse in the town of Mexico, customs agents discovered approximately P160 million worth of dried tobacco leaves, recycled cigarettes, cigarette filters bearing the brand markings “Chungwa” and “Fort,” and other manufacturing materials.
At the second warehouse in San Simon town, BOC operatives seized raw and processed tobacco materials branded “Modern,” tobacco manufacturing machinery, packaging materials, and related equipment valued at around P115 million.
On February 11, a DILG-led operation in a separate warehouse in San Fernando, Pampanga resulted in the confiscation of several cigarette packing components, boxes of “Playboy” cigarettes, and other manufacturing paraphernalia believed to be linked to the same network.
Customs commissioner Ariel Nepomuceno said at a joint press conference with the DILG on February 16 that BOC’s intelligence-driven operations will continue to ensure that all responsible parties are held fully accountable under the law. He added that with strengthened inter-agency coordination between the DILG, BOC, and other enforcement units, illicit tobacco activities will be relentlessly pursued and dismantled.
DILG secretary Jonvic Remulla, for his part, said close collaboration and real-time intelligence sharing among agencies are critical in uncovering and dismantling organized illicit manufacturing operations.
READ: BOC shuts down cigarette factory in Pampanga
