BOC seizes P88.1M worth of smuggled cigarettes from China

Photo from BOC

MANILA, Philippines — Smuggled cigarettes with an estimated value of P88.1 million were intercepted in the Port of Cebu, the Bureau of Customs (BOC) reported Friday.

The BOC said the two containers of smuggled cigarettes from China arrived at the Port of Cebu on August 8 and August 13 and were declared as umbrellas and various home furniture.

However, a separate physical examination of the containers on September 1 showed that the first container carried 851 master cases of “Mighty” cigarettes while 911 master cases of “Mighty”, “Fort”, and “Marvel” cigarettes were found inside the second container.

Photo from BOC

The examination came following a coordinated profiling analysis conducted by Customs Intelligence and Investigation Service (CIIS), Enforcement and Security Service (ESS), and X-Ray Inspection Project (XIP), which identified the containers for issuance of Pre-Lodgement Control Orders (PLCOs), said BOC.

Acting District Collector Atty. Charlito Martin R. Mendoza immediately issued PLCOs against the shipments on August 28.

BOC said based on the Inward Foreign Manifest, the shipments were consigned to GRR Trading—the same importer whose recent shipments of misdeclared articles were previously seized by port authorities after being found to contain master cases of cigarettes.

District Collector Mendoza has issued Warrants of Seizure and Detention against the shipments for violation of Republic Act No. 10863 or the Customs Modernization and Tariff Act.

KGA