The Bureau of Customs (BOC) seized some P2.45 million of cigarettes in an anti-smuggling operation in Davao City.
In a statement, the BOC Port of Davao said the 4,250 reams of smuggled cigarettes worth 2.45 million was seized along with a Hyundai Porter Freezer Van in a checkpoint in Toril District.
BOC Davao District Collector lawyer Erastus Sandino B. Austria issued a Warrant of Seizure and Detention (WSD) against the smuggled items for violating Section 1113 in relation to Section 117 and Section 400 of the Republic Act No. 10863 also known as the Customs Modernization and Tariff Act (CMTA).
The items were immediately turned over to the custody of the BOC while the arrested suspects were placed under the custody of the local police.
"The Bureau will file charges against the suspects for smuggling of illicit cigarettes," said Austria.