The Bureau of Customs Zamboanga port spearheaded the destruction of some P300-million worth of smuggled cigarettes at a Zamboanga City customs-rented warehouse on Wednesday, December 15.
The items included more than 8,250 master cases of cigarettes seized during various anti-smuggling operations by the BOC and its partner agencies in the Zamboanga Peninsula and BASULTA (Basilan-Sulu-Tawi Tawi) areas from May to November this year.
Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP) personnel sprayed water on boxes and piles of smuggled goods. A backhoe finished off the destruction process by smashing the contraband.
Among the imported brands of cigarettes destroyed are Fort White, Gudang Baru, Fort Green, D&B Class A, Cannon Menthol and Champion Mild Menthol.
Port of Zamboanga District Collector Segundo Sigmundfreud Barte Jr. said the condemnation was based on the directive of Customs Commissioner Rey Leonardo Guerrero to destroy the seized cigarettes.
Among those who were present to witness the destruction include representatives from the Zamboanga local government, law enforcement agencies, Commission on Audit, and other stakeholders.