P29.17-M smuggled cigarettes busted

The Bureau of Customs (BOC) intercepted a shipment containing 320 boxes of Astro and Redwood cigarettes worth approximately P29.17 million, declared as scrap metal at the Subport of North Harbor.

Two 1x20 containers originating from Zamboanga underwent spot checking with the assistance of the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) K9 unit. A shipping container was discovered containing illegal cigarettes, while the other one is carrying white cigarette filters inside boxes with Chinese markings.

Three hundred twenty boxes of cigarettes were discovered after failing to match the declared contents of the shipment. The import value of the products is estimated at P9.6 million, while their market price reaches P29.17 million.

BOC Commissioner Ariel Nepomuceno asserted that misdeclaration will not serve as a way to hide the actual contents of shipments and evade the corresponding customs duties and tax requirements.

The discovery of the shipments is part of the BOC's ongoing strengthening of intelligence-driven inspections and inter-agency coordination to identify misdeclared and potentially illicit shipments before they enter the legitimate market. At the same time, the corresponding process continues to be carried out in accordance with customs and revenue laws.

The BOC stated that the stricter monitoring of shipments aligns with the directive of the administration of President Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr. to strengthen border protection, ensure proper collection of government revenue, and enforce laws against smuggling and other illegal trade.