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An individual arrested in Sarangani province with P6.76 million worth of smuggled cigarettes was found guilty and sentenced to up to four years in prison by a regional court in Sarangani
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The case stemmed from a police checkpoint operation on January 23, 2025
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The court forfeited the cigarettes to the government and directed the Bureau of Customs Sub-Port of General Santos to dispose of them under applicable laws and regulations
An individual arrested in Sarangani province with P6.76 million worth of smuggled cigarettes has been found guilty and sentenced to up to four years in prison, the Bureau of Customs (BOC) reported.
The decision, handed out by the Regional Trial Court Branch 47 in Alabel, Sarangani on October 21, 2026, found the individual guilty of violating Section 1401 (D) of Republic Act No. 10863, or the Customs Modernization and Tariff Act.
The case arose from a joint checkpoint operation conducted by the Philippine National Police on January 23, 2025, in Barangay Katuabo, Kiamba, Sarangani.
Authorities seized 7,350 reams of New Berlin brand of cigarettes and 1,250 reams of King Perfect brand during the operation.
The seized cigarettes were turned over to the Enforcement and Security Service of the BOC Sub-Port of General Santos on January 24, 2025.
The court also ordered the forfeiture of the cigarettes in favor of the government and directed the BOC Sub-Port of General Santos to oversee their disposition in accordance with existing laws and regulations.
READ: BOC chief declares ‘all-out war’ vs smugglers, one-strike policy on erring Customs personnel
“Smuggling carries severe penalties, and we can see that in this decision. It’s not enough to simply seize smuggled goods. The cases must also proceed in court so those involved can be held accountable. We will continue working with other agencies to protect public funds, law-abiding businesses, and the public,” said BOC commissioner Ariel Nepomuceno.
READ: BOC, DOJ, NBI join forces vs smuggling bosses
