Over P107M worth of smuggled cigarettes seized at Port of Davao

Photo from BOC-Port of Davao

MANILA, Philippines — Smuggled cigarettes amounting to more than P107 million were seized at the Port of Davao, the Bureau of Customs (BOC) reported Tuesday.

In coordination with authorities from the BOC Intelligence Group (IG) and Enforcement Group, the BOC-Port of Davao seized four 40-footer containers that contained illegally imported cigarettes valued at Php 107,414,676.74.

Citing intelligence reports, BOC said the first two containers arrived at the Davao International Container Terminal (DICT) on July 10 and were said to contain 2,180 boxes of brand-new tissue papers.

However, subsequent information received from IG and EG led to the issuance of a Pre-Lodgment Control Order (PLCO) after discovering that no goods declaration was lodged by the consignee, Golden Aark Enterprises, and that there could be possible misdeclaration of the said commodity, BOC said.

The containers were subsequently inspected and yielded misdeclaration of goods as 1,205 boxes Astro Branded Cigarettes and 942 boxes of YS filter cigarettes were discovered and seized on July 14.

Further, BOC added that two more containers arrived at DICT on July 12 declared as 1,940 boxes of tissue papers.

However, an inspection showed that the containers actually carry 942 boxes of YS filter cigarettes and 941 Fort Branded Cigarettes that were also seized on July 16.

BOC said that in the initial apprehension, the offenders tried to outsmart the system by not declaring the shipment’s details in the e-manifest – a system by which BOC determines the cargo’s details and its intended port of destination.

However, intensified intelligence gathering revealed that the intended destination of these shipments was Davao; to which customs has sole jurisdiction in conducting an examination, BOC said.

“In the midst of the pandemic, Customs Davao shall ensure that its border security protocols and coordination with partner agencies remain steadfast in securing the borders of Mindanao” Customs Davao District Collector, Atty. Erastus Sandino Austria said in a statement.

Following the incident, Austria issued a Warrant of Seizure and Detention (WSD) to these illicit articles in violation of Executive Order No.245 or the “Amended Rules and Regulations Governing the Exportation and Importation of Leaf Tobacco and Tobacco Products”, Graphic Health Warnings (GHW) Law or R.A. 10643, otherwise known as “An Act to Effectively Instill Health Consciousness through Graphic Health Warning on Tobacco Products.” and section 117 of R.A. 10863 or the Customs Modernization and Tariff Act (CMTA).

KGA