The Bureau of Customs (BOC) Port of Zamboanga seized on two separate occasions various smuggled cigarettes, sacks of rice, and bales of used clothing worth a total of nearly P1.5 million.
On August 19, 2020, BOC’s Intelligence Group and other law enforcement agencies conducted a joint operation at Zamboanga International Port, Zamboanga City and seized 51 sacks of rice and 25 master cases of cigarettes that were undocumented. The goods, valued at P1 million, were found on board MV Maria Matilde, a passenger vessel docked at the port.
On August 20, 2020, another joint operation was conducted by BOC in Zamboanga del Norte, wherein 34 bales of used clothing, also known as ukay-ukay, were discovered aboard MV Filipinas Maasin. The goods, with an estimated value of P450,000, were seized for violating Republic Act No. 4653, which prohibits the importation of used clothing or rags in commercial quantity to safeguard the health and maintain the dignity of Filipinos.
Apart from the seizures, BOC Zamboanga on August 17 also destroyed 105 master cases of smuggled cigarettes worth P2.1 million. Among those destroyed were 15 boxes of contraband Royal brand cigarettes seized in Bubuan Island last July 25, and 90 boxes of smuggled Fort, Astro and San Marino brands of cigarettes worth P1.8 million that were intercepted last July 15 in Poblacion, Panamao, Sulu.
