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Bureau of Customs intercepted P39.3 million worth of smuggled cigarettes and dried tobacco bound for Manila
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Six container vans from Zamboanga and Bacolod were flagged and inspected
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Shipments falsely declared as dried fish and general merchandise
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Seized brands included Platinum, Lasa, King Philip, H&P Red Premium, Cannon Menthol, Modern Brand, plus unmarked sacks of dried tobacco
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Products lacked tax stamps, health warnings, and proper markings
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Warrants of seizure and detention issued for violations of Graphic Health Warnings Law, Tax Reform for Acceleration and Inclusion Act, and the Customs Modernization and Tariff Act
The Bureau of Customs (BOC) seized P39.3 million worth of smuggled cigarettes and dried tobacco products bound for Manila.
Acting on reliable intelligence, the Customs Intelligence and Investigation Service (CIIS) and Enforcement and Security Service (ESS) coordinated with port authorities and shipping lines to tag, monitor, and inspect six container vans originating from Zamboanga and Bacolod.
The shipments were subjected to 100% physical examination at the Sub-Port of North Harbor in the presence of representatives from concerned government agencies and port authorities, the BOC said in a news release.
The inspection uncovered multiple brands of cigarettes, including Platinum, Lasa, King Philip, H&P Red Premium, Cannon Menthol, and Modern Brand, as well as unmarked sacks of dried tobacco concealed in containers falsely declared as dried fish and general merchandise.
The seized products lacked Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) tax stamps, graphic health warnings, and proper markings.
Warrants of seizure and detention were issued for violations of Republic Act (RA) No. 10643 (Graphic Health Warnings Law), RA 10963 (TRAIN Law), and RA 10863 (Customs Modernization and Tariff Act).
Customs commissioner Ariel Nepomuceno, speaking at a press briefing on February 12 alongside the Philippine Coast Guard, BIR, and Philippine Ports Authority, credited the vigilance of CIIS, ESS, Manila International Container Port, and the Sub-Port of North Harbor.
He emphasized that disciplined intelligence validation and rigorous inspection protocols remain central to the bureau’s anti-smuggling efforts.
READ: BOC shuts down cigarette factory in Pampanga
The BOC said that the seizure demonstrates enhanced intelligence efforts and increased collaboration with partner agencies to break up smuggling networks and protect government revenues.
READ: BOC-Davao destroys P235M worth of seized cigarettes
