Customs intercepts P84M worth of illegal cigarettes in Bulacan

The Bureau of Customs-Customs Intelligence and Investigation Service (BOC-CIIS) confiscated P83.7 million worth of smuggled cigarettes from a warehouse in Bocaue, Bulacan.

The operation on Thursday, led by CIIS-Manila International Container Port (CIIS-MICP) agents, uncovered 717 master cases of assorted branded cigarettes inside the warehouse, along with six trucks loaded with cigarettes on the property.

According to BOC-CIIS Director Verne Enciso, the team acted promptly upon receiving derogatory information regarding the possible presence of smuggled cigarettes in the warehouse. They immediately verified the report and requested a Letter of Authority (LOA) from Commissioner Bienvenido Rubio.

Upon arrival, authorities discovered 717 master cases of assorted cigarette brands—including Modern, TS, Two Moon, Tattoo, Fort, H&P, Xplore, Carnival, Concord, RGD, Marvels, Chesterfields, and New Orleans.

They also found six trucks on-site, each loaded with the said 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. For now, the warehouse has been sealed and padlocked to ensure the security of the goods until a full inventory is done,” Director Enciso said.

The CIIS-MICP agents were joined by personnel from the Philippine Coast Guard-Task Force Aduana (PCG-TFA), in coordination with the Philippine National Police-Criminal Investigation and Detection Group’s (PNP-CIDG) Anti-Fraud and Commercial Crimes Unit.

Deputy Commissioner for the Intelligence Group Juvymax Uy lauded the operation, noting the vigilance of CIIS-MICP agents in uncovering illegal activities.

“Operations like these illustrate the BOC’s ongoing commitment and dedication to upholding its mission of border security and protecting our people. 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 said.

An official from Philip Morris Philippines Manufacturing, Inc. and legal counsel from Japan Tobacco International also commended the BOC for its efforts.

Earlier, the Bureau of Internal Revenue reported a decrease in excise tax collection from 2021 to 2024 due to the illicit cigarette and vape trade, which has led to a revenue loss of P40 billion.