P6.5M worth of smuggled cigarettes seized in Malabon warehouse

Photo from BOC

MANILA, Philippines — Fake and smuggled cigarettes amounting to P6.5 million were seized in Malabon City, the Bureau of Customs (BOC) reported Sunday.

The BOC said its Enforcement and Security Service Quick Reaction Team (ESS-QRT), in coordination with the Customs Intelligence and Investigation Service (CIIS), seized the smuggled cigarettes during a raid on a warehouse in Barangay Tugatog in Malabon City on September 23.

The bureau said that on inspection of the warehouse, 196 master cases of illicit cigarettes of various brands with an estimated value of P6.5 million were found.

Further investigation is being done to identify the owner of the products as well as the owner of the warehouse and inventory is also ongoing to ascertain the volume and amount of the seized goods, the BOC said.

The ESS said the owner of the warehouse and those behind the illicit products are liable for the violation of Section 1400 of Republic Act No. 10863 or the Customs Modernization and Tariff Act as well the provisions of Republic Act No. 8424 or the National Internal Revenue Code of the Philippines for the lack and falsification of tax stamps.

“As the Bureau of Customs continues to enhance efforts to strengthen border security the ESS remains committed in ensuring that illicit goods are apprehended to prevent the proliferation of illegal and fake goods in the market,” BOC said.

“The ESS also assures that those who are responsible shall be made to face the full force of the law,” it added.

/MUF