P4.9M worth of undocumented cigarettes seized in Zamboanga City
Agents of the Bureau of Customs (BOVC) seized around P4.9 million worth of cigarettes believed to have been smuggled into the country during an operation in Zamboanga City.
BOC Commissioner Bienvenido Rubio said the 141 master cases of of undocumented cigarettes were intercepted during a seaborne operation off the waters of Barangay Arena Blanco in Zamboanga City on March 21.
They were on board a watercraft manned by four crew members.
Rubio said the watercraft came from Jolo and was headed to Zamboanga City when intercepted.
“The crew members failed to present legal documents for the alleged smuggled cigarettes and the transport of goods to Zamboanga City,” said Rubio.
He said the master cases of cigarettes were apprehended in violation of Section 117 of R.A. 10863 or the “Customs Modernization and Tariff Act (CMTA) of 2016 in relation to Executive Order Number 245 entitled “Amended Rules and Regulations Governing the Exportation and Importation of Leaf Tobacco and Tobacco Products."
A Warrant of Seizure and Detention will be issued against the cigarettes by Port of Zamboanga District Collector Arthur G. Sevilla, Jr.