BOC foils 160- M cigarette smuggling bid in Misamis Oriental

(Photo courtesy of Bureau of Customs)

MANILA, Philippines — The Bureau of Custims (BOC) on Saturday said it seized an  estimated P160 million worth of smuggled cigarettes at a port in Mindanao.

The shipment arrived on December 16, 2022 from China and were inspected on January 18 at Mindanao Container Terminal Port in Misamis Oriental, said the BOC.  

“BOC-Port of Cagayan de Oro has foiled an attempt to smuggle two containers of cigarettes valued at P160 million after a spot-check examination,” said the bureau in a statement. 

Two local BOC divisions, the Customs Intelligence and Investigation Service, and the  Enforcement and Security Service, requested the examination. 

According to the BOC, the consignees declared the shipment as “personal effects”. 

(Photo courtesy of Bureau of Customs)

Representatives from the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency and a Chamber of Customs Brokers Inc. were also present to witness the examination. 

“Warrants of Seizure and Detention will be issued against the smuggled cigarettes for misdeclaration,” said the BOC.

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