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Bureau of Customs, with the police and military, seized P200 million worth of illicit cigarette manufacturing assets
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Warehouse in Tanza, Cavite was flagged after reports of strong tobacco odor inconsistent with declared use
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Seizures included 11 cigarette-making machines, generator sets, a forklift, and 10 cigarette brands
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Fake and irregular tax stamps were recovered
The Bureau of Customs (BOC), together with other law enforcement agencies, seized an estimated P200 million worth of illicit cigarette manufacturing equipment, raw materials, and finished products in an inter-agency operation targeting large-scale violations of customs and economic sabotage laws.
The operation was conducted in coordination with the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP), Philippine National Police (PNP), and the Department of the Interior and Local Government, BOC said in a news release.
Led by the BOC Intelligence Group through the Customs Intelligence and Investigation Service, the raid was supported by AFP Intelligence Units, PNP-CALABARZON, Criminal Investigation and Detection Group in Cavite, Bureau of Fire Protection-Tanza, and the local government of Tanza.
Surveillance was prompted by a citizen report of a strong tobacco odor inconsistent with the warehouse’s declared use for canned goods storage.
Inspection yielded 11 suspected cigarette manufacturing machines, two generator sets, one forklift, and finished products under 10 brands including Champion, Marlboro, Canon Menthol, New Orleans, Bros, New Berlin, Commando, Delta, and Troy.
Authorities also discovered fake and irregular tax stamps, reinforcing suspicions of large-scale illicit cigarette production and distribution intended to evade lawful duties and taxes.
The seized assets are initially valued at P200 million, subject to final inventory and assessment.
The operation was carried out pursuant to a letter of authority with no. 02-18-023-2026 and mission order no. 02-18-028-2026, following intelligence reports of possible violations of Republic Act (RA) No. 10863, or the Customs Modernization and Tariff Act (CMTA), and RA 12022, the Anti-Agricultural Economic Sabotage Act.
The BOC said the operation underscores the government’s intensified campaign against smuggling and economic sabotage, which undermine legitimate industries, deprive the government of revenue, and harm Filipino farmers.
READ: BOC, DILG bust illegal cigarette factories in Pampanga, seize P275M worth of tobacco products
