Customs seizes P17.38M worth of fake cigarettes in Port of Manila

Personnel of the Bureau of Customs – Port of Manila seize on Wednesday, June 3, 2020, around P17.38 million worth of fake cigarettes that arrived from China on May 22. (Photo from BOC)

MANILA, Philippines — The Bureau of Customs – Port of Manila (BOC-POM) seized on Wednesday a container of fake Mighty and Marvels cigarettes estimated to be worth P17.38 million.

The shipment consigned to Mvetisery Industrial Supply which arrived from China on May 22 was placed on hold and was issued with a pre-lodgement control order on May 27, 2020 after “derogatory information” was received by the POM from the BOC-Enforcement Group, according to the bureau.

“The Bureau of Customs maintains its steadfast commitment to curb unlawful trade and anti-smuggling in the nation’s border and inside customs territory,” BOC said in a statement.

Around P17.38 million worth of fake cigarettes that arrived from China on May 22. (Photo from BOC)

Upon physical examination, the assigned Customs examiner assessed total duties and taxes amounting to P9.96 million, according to a BOC report.

District Collector Arsenia Ilagan ordered the issuance of Warrants of Seizure and Detention against the entire shipment for violation of Section 1401 or “Unlawful Importation or Exportation” in relation to Section 1113 or “Property Subject Seizure and Forfeiture” of the Customs Modernization and Tariff Act.

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