The Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) launched a large-scale operation against illegal cigarettes, resulting in the confiscation of over P5.4 billion worth of illicit tobacco from warehouses in Indang and Dasmariñas, Cavite.

In a statement on Monday, April 8, BIR said the raid last March 21 led to the discovery of master cases of cigarettes, machines, sacks of raw tobacco, and fake internal revenue stamps in three Cavite warehouses.

"This is one of the largest raids against illicit cigarettes in the history of the BIR, having an estimate of P 5.4 Billion in total tax liability. The BIR will continue targeting these large-scale illicit cigarette traders,” BIR Commissioner Romeo D. Lumagui Jr. said.

“We advise everyone to register their cigarette operations with the BIR and to pay proper excise taxes on those products. The BIR aims to protect legitimate businesses so if you register and pay your proper taxes, your businesses will be compliant. We want a level playing field so we protect registered businesses and raid illicit trade," he added.

The BIR said that the individuals behind the three warehouses in Cavite will face criminal cases for violating the filing of return and payment of excise tax on domestic products, payment of excise tax on domestic products, and unlawful possession or removal of articles subject to excise tax without payment of the tax, among others.

"Hindi aatras ang BIR kahit malalaking warehouse o pabrika ng ilegal na sigarilyo pa ang kailangan namin pasukin. Itong na raid namin sa Cavite ay isa sa pinakamalaking raid ng ilegal na sigarilyo sa kasaysayan ng BIR, P5.4 Billion na buwis ang kailangan nilang bayaran. Patunay ito na kahit malaki o maliit ka na negosyo, kailangan mag-register sa BIR at magbayad ng tamang buwis," Lumagui stated.

[The BIR will not back down, even if we have to raid large warehouses or factories of illegal cigarettes. The raid conducted in Cavite is one of the biggest illegal cigarette raids in the history of the BIR, with the offenders required to pay P5.4 billion in taxes. This serves as proof that whether you are a big or small business, you need to register with the BIR and pay the correct taxes.]

This month, the agency is aiming to collect P405.94 billion in revenues from taxes net income, profits, and value-added tax.

Based on the latest data, the BIR has so far collected over P446 billion in the first two months, higher by 22.58 percent compared to P364.2 billion in the same period a year ago.

For this year, the BIR is aiming to collect P3.5 trillion in revenues-- bulk of the Marcos administration's P4.3 trillion revenue target.