Daily Tribune‘Operations like these illustrate the BoC’s ongoing commitment and dedication to upholding its mission of border security and protecting our people.’
A personnel of the Bureau of Customs-Customs Intelligence and Investigation Service inspects smuggled cigarettes worth P83.7 million seized from a warehouse in Bocaue, Bulacan on Thursday.
Photograph courtesy of BOC
The Bureau of Customs-Customs Intelligence and Investigation Service (BoC-CIIS) said Friday it confiscated P83.7 million worth of smuggled cigarettes from a warehouse in Bocaue, Bulacan.
The operation on Thursday, conducted by CIIS-Manila International Container Port (CIIS-MICP) agents, discovered 717 master cases of various branded cigarettes inside the warehouse, along with six trucks loaded with the contraband.
According to BoC-CIIS director Verne Enciso, the team acted on received information about the possible presence of smuggled cigarettes at the property. They verified the information and secured a Letter of Authority from the commissioner before the operation.
Upon arrival at the warehouse, agents found master cases of cigarettes bearing brands such as Modern, TS, Two Moon, Tattoo, Fort, H&P, Xplore, Carnival, Concord, RGD, Marvels, Chesterfields and New Orleans. They also found the six trucks loaded with the same cigarettes.
“We have estimated the total value of these cigarettes to be around P83,700,000, although a full inventory will still be done to determine the actual value of the items,” Enciso said. “For now, the warehouse has been sealed and padlocked to ensure the security of the goods until a full inventory is done.”
The CIIS-MICP agents were joined by personnel from the Philippine Coast Guard-Task Force Aduana and coordinated with the Philippine National Police-Criminal Investigation and Detection Group’s Anti-Fraud and Commercial Crimes Unit.
Meantime, deputy commissioner for Intelligence Group Juvymax Uy praised the operation, highlighting the vigilance of CIIS-MICP agents in uncovering smuggling activities.
“Operations like these illustrate the BoC’s ongoing commitment and dedication to upholding its mission of border security and protecting our people,” Uy said.
“Their work ensures that the people behind these illegal activities will be held accountable, and it sends a strong message to anyone who attempts to circumvent our laws that we will stand in their way,” he added.
An official from Philip Morris Philippines Manufacturing Inc. and a counsel for Japan Tobacco International also commended the BoC for the operation.
Earlier, the Bureau of Internal Revenue reported a decrease in excise tax collection from 2021 to 2024 due to the illicit trade of cigarettes and vapes, resulting in an estimated revenue loss of P40 billion.
