Courtesy: BOC FB Page
IN a significant victory against maritime smuggling, the Bureau of Customs (BOC) intercepted a vessel laden with approximately 3,000 master cases of illicit cigarettes in the Celebes Sea on February 24, 2026. The estimated value of the seized contraband is ₱180 million.
The operation was triggered by BOC intelligence pinpointing suspicious activity involving a bulk carrier suspected of transferring cargo at sea.
These irregular maneuvers prompted heightened surveillance and close collaboration between the BOC, the Department of National Defense (DND), and the Philippine Navy – Western Mindanao Naval Command, under the leadership of RADM Constancio Arturo M. Reyes. This joint effort facilitated a coordinated anti-smuggling operation.
The suspect vessel was located and apprehended approximately 52 nautical miles west of Kalamansig Port, Sultan Kudarat. Upon boarding and inspection, authorities discovered thousands of master cases of cigarettes lacking the necessary documentation for legal importation. The vessel’s foreign crew was unable to provide a legitimate explanation for the cargo.
Following an initial inventory, the estimated value of the seized illicit cigarettes was placed at a minimum of ₱180 million. The apprehending team adhered to established protocols for potential violations of Republic Act No. 10863, also known as the Customs Modernization and Tariff Act. The vessel was subsequently escorted to Naval Station Romulo Espaldon, Western Mindanao Naval Command, arriving on February 25, 2026, for official inventory and documentation of the seized goods.
BOC Commissioner Ariel F. Nepomuceno emphasized the Bureau’s unwavering commitment to combating the illegal tobacco trade.
“The BOC has been consistent and unwavering in its fight against the illegal sale, manufacture, and distribution of illicit cigarettes,” he stated. “We will continue to intensify our operations, not only because they fall under our mandate, but also as a clear warning: our country has no room for these unlawful activities. We will not allow illicit trade to infiltrate our borders at the expense of the welfare of the Filipino people and legitimate businesses.”
This successful operation underscores the BOC’s commitment to supporting President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.’s administration’s efforts to suppress illicit trade. By strengthening maritime monitoring and enforcement measures, the BOC aims to dismantle smuggling networks and protect the country’s borders, sending a clear message that unlawful trade will be met with swift and decisive action.
