The Bureau of Customs-Port of Zamboanga recently destroyed P245.8 million worth of smuggled cigarettes in Baliwasan, Zamboanga City.
District Collector Segundo Sigmundfreud Z. Barte, Jr. led the initiative along with representatives from the Philippine Navy, Philippine Marines, Philippine Coast Guard, Naval Intelligence Support Group, PNP Zamboanga City, Philippine Ports Authority, National Bureau of Investigation, PNP-Criminal Investigation and Detection Group, Bureau of Fire and Protection, PNP Maritime Group and PNP Region 9.
The confiscated cigarettes were drenched in water, crushed by a forklift then disposed of at the City Sanitary Landfill in Brgy. Salaan, Zamboanga City.
Barte said the initiative follows Customs Commissioner Rey Leonardo B. Guerrero’s instruction to destroy smuggled cigarettes once the final decree of forfeiture is rendered.
Barte expressed appreciation for the city’s law enforcement agencies for their continuous support in the BOC anti-smuggling drive. He also thanked City Mayor Beng Climaco through Councilor Josephine Pareja who provided the equipment, dump trucks and access to the sanitary landfill.
