BOC intercepts P60M worth of smuggled cigarettes

BOC personnel intercept P60 million worth of smuggled cigarettes through the Manila International Container Port. The shipment was imported to the Philippines on September 30, 2020. (Photo from BOC)

MANILA, Philippines — The Bureau of Customs (BOC) has intercepted P60 million worth of smuggled cigarettes through the Manila International Container Port (MICP).

A total of 500 cases and 1,198 boxes of smuggled cigarettes from China were found in containers imported by Ocean World Enterprises on September 30, BOC said in a report on Tuesday.

The BOC said the goods were declared by the importer as various items including cartons, furniture, and bags, but upon verification were discovered as smuggled cigarettes.

Currently, a total of eleven shipments are being investigated on suspicion of illegal importation of cigarettes, according to BOC.

The importer of the concerned shipment will face charges for violation of Republic Act No. 10863 or the Customs Modernization and Tariff Act, and regulations of the Bureau of Internal Revenue and the National Tobacco Authority (NTA), she said.

Other shipments of the importer are also now subject to further investigation to ascertain if these were also shipped in violation of Customs laws, rules and regulations, according to BOC.

Meanwhile, the MICP stressed that smuggling illicit items into the country will be met with full extent of the law. — Miggy Dumlao, trainee

EDV