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Manila Bulletin devider Business devider P160.3 million smuggled cigarettes seized in Tawi-Tawi

P160.3 million smuggled cigarettes seized in Tawi-Tawi

Published Aug 31, 2023 07:19 am

At A Glance

  • Smuggled cigarettes worth P160.3 million were seized in Tawi-Tawi by the Bureau of Customs.<br>The Philippine Navy and elements from PC390 intercepted a motorboat loaded with 2,798 master cases of "Oakley Original" brand cigarettes near Baturapac Island, Tandubas, Tawi-Tawi.<br>The confiscated cigarettes were taken to a warehouse in Barangay Tetuan, Zamboanga City, where they will be held pending seizure and forfeiture proceedings.<br>The motorboat used for smuggling was temporarily moored in Dacon Compound, Recodo, Zamboanga City, under the supervision of the Port of Zamboanga, Philippine Navy, and Philippine Coast Guard.<br>Customs Commissioner Bienvenido Y. Rubio emphasized the bureau's commitment to combat smuggling and other illicit activities, considering them as economic sabotage.

Some P160.3 million worth of smuggled cigarettes were seized in Tawi-Tawi, the Bureau of Customs reported Thursday, Aug. 31.

The Customs bureau said that the Philippine Navy, along with elements from PC390, intercepted on Wednesday, Aug. 23, a motorboat loaded with 2,798 master cases of “Oakley Original” brand cigarettes in the waters of Baturapac Island, Tandubas, Tawi-Tawi.

Twelve crew members aboard the motorboat, which bore the markings “MB INDAH NADZ,” failed to present documents legitimizing the importation of the alleged smuggled cigarettes.

Port of Zamboanga Acting District Collector Engr. Arthur G. Sevilla Jr. will issue a warrant of seizure and detention against the seized master cases of cigarettes, the Customs said in a statement.

The alleged smuggled cigarettes were taken to a warehouse in Barangay Tetuan, Zamboanga City to await seizure and forfeiture proceedings.

The motorboat was temporarily moored in a riverine in Dacon Compound, Recodo, Zamboanga City by the officers from the Port of Zamboanga, Philippine Navy, and Philippine Coast Guard.

"The BOC is unwavering in its commitment in combating smuggling and other illicit activities in order to deter others from committing these kinds of devious crimes which similarly tantamount to economic sabotage," Customs Commissioner Bienvenido Y. Rubio said. (Xander Dave Ceballos)

Related Tags

Bureau of Customs illicit cigarettes Customs Commissioner Bienvenido Rubio
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