BOC seizes P2.3-million smuggled cigarettes in Iligan
Smuggled cigarettes with a total worth of P2.3 million were intercepted in Iligan City checpoint, the Bureau of Customs (BOC) reported.
The BOC said that the agents from District 10 led an operation that yielded 2,899 reams of undocumented Fort and Cannon Methol cigarettes on May 16 at a checkpoint in Barangay Maria Cristina in Iligan City.
The BOC said that the cigarettes were manufactured outside the country and lacked the BIR stamp as required by law, violating the Customs rules and regulations.
The cigarettes were estimated to be worth P2,319,200, based on current market value.
The BOC agents also seized during the operation was the Nissan Urvan which was used to transport smuggled cigarettes.
Customs District Collector Alexandra Y. Lumontad immediately issued a warrant of seizure and detention against the subject goods and vehicle.
"The BOC is firm in its stance to protect our citizens against the harmful effects of unlawful tobacco products," Customs Commissioner Bienvenido Y. Rubio said.
"This determination is exemplified by the series of crackdowns on these commodities. This is also in response to President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.'s call to the bureau to intensify our efforts in combating the illicit tobacco trade," he added.
The Customs also recently seized the shipment of more than 28,000 reams of smuggled cigarettes with a total worth of P22.561 million in Lanao del Norte.
President Ferdinand R. Marcos, Jr. called on the BOC and the Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) to ramp up their efforts in curbing tobacco and vape products smuggling.
“Enforcement and anti-smuggling and all that. You really have to beef them up and I think we’re doing that,” the President said.