THE Bureau of Customs (BOC) Port of Cebu recently seized 1,025 reams of smuggled cigarettes valued at P 1.028 million onboard a ferry docked at the Malacañang sa Sugbo, Pier 1 in Cebu City.
The Philippine Coast Guard reported that the cargo manifest indicated that the boxes onboard the vessel contained eggplant. Upon inspection, authorities discovered cigarettes with the brand Vess and Warrior inside five balikbayan boxes.
District Collector Atty. Elvira Cruz immediately issued a Warrant of Seizure and Detention against the goods based on Sections 1113 (f) and (l-1 & 5) in relation to Section 118 (f) of the Customs Modernization and Tariff Act (CMTA).
The BOC continues to strengthen its collaboration with other maritime enforcement units to secure national borders against the entry of contraband.
In Davao, the Bureau of Customs (BOC) – Collection District XII, intercepted 103 boxes of illicit cigarettes worth P3 million and a Fuso Aluminum Wing Van during a checkpoint operation conducted by joint efforts of the PNP, Police Station 8, Sirawan, Toril, Davao City, and AFP-Task Force Davao on February 14.
District Collector Erastus Sandino Austria already issued a warrant of seizure and detention against the smuggled items for violating Section 1113 in relation to Section 117 and Section 400 of Republic Act No. 10863, also known as the Customs Modernization and Tariff Act (CMTA).
Suspects are now under the custody of the PNP, Region Office 11 for filing appropriate charges relative to the smuggling of illicit cigarettes.
