BOC destroys P109 million worth of illicit cigarettes

The Bureau of Customs (BOC) destroys on Monday, May 11, 2020, P109 million worth of illicit cigarettes seized from 2018 until March 2020. (Photo from BOC Public Information and Assistance Division)

MANILA, Philippines — The Bureau of Customs (BOC) on Monday destroyed some P109 million worth of illicit cigarettes.

According to BOC, a total of 2,183 master cases containing around 21,830,000 sticks of cigarettes were seized from 2018 until March 2020. The cigarettes were stored at the bureau’s premises prior to disposal, which was done through water dousing and crushing through a payloader.

The destruction of the cigarettes, led by the bureau’s Enforcement and Security Service, was witnessed by Customs Commissioner Rey Leonardo Guerrero and Deputy Commissioners along with John Freda, CEO of Japan Tobacco International, according to BOC.

The BOC in Port of Manila also recently seized cigarettes worth P34.7 million which were misdeclared as furniture and blinds. The cigarettes were concealed in two containers from China.

The Bureau of Customs (BOC) destroys on Monday, May 11, 2020, P109 million worth of illicit cigarettes seized from 2018 until March 2020. (Photo from BOC Public Information and Assistance Division)