Also, two sets of cigarette manufacturing machines, a set semi-automatic strapping machine, plastic shredding facility, 145 cigarette master cases, packaging materials and tax stamps were also scheduled to be destroyed on Tuesday, 19 November. #fakecigarettecases

A backhoe crushes seven units of cigarette-making machines, a plastic recycling machine, a manual lifter, a generator set, and generator cooling system at the Port of Clark on Monday. (BoC)

The Bureau of Customs (BoC) on Monday destroyed several units of smuggled cigarette manufacturing machines, fake cigarette master cases and other packaging materials at the Port of Clark in Pampanga.

A backhoe crushed seven units of cigarette-making machines, a plastic recycling machine, a manual lifter, a generator set, and generator cooling system as part of the agency’s relentless effort to prevent illicit trade and customs fraud.

The said items were seized last 19 February 2019 and forfeited last 26 July 2019 for violation of Section 1113 (f) and (l) of the Customs Modernization and Tariff Act (CMTA).

Also, two sets of cigarette manufacturing machines, a set semi-automatic strapping machine, plastic shredding facility, 145 cigarette master cases, packaging materials and tax stamps were also scheduled to be destroyed on Tuesday, 19 November.

The same were seized on 5 March 2018 and forfeited last 6 August 2019 for violation of Section 118 and 1113 (f) and (l) of the CMTA, Intellectual Property Rights Law, National Tobacco Administration Circular No. 3-2014, BoC Memorandum Circular No. 15-2015 and 20-2006 and BIR Revenue Regulation No. 1-97.

BoC said the activity of crushing smuggled items sends a strong message to smugglers to stop their illegal business practices, shortchanging the government of the rightful revenues.