The Bureau of Customs confiscates P19 million worth of allegedly smuggled cigarettes from a motorized boat off Sta. Cruz town in Davao del Sur province. Photo from BOC
MANILA, Philippines — Some 24,950 reams of allegedly smuggled cigarettes valued at P19 million have been confiscated from a motorized boat sailing off Sta. Cruz town in Davao del Sur, the Bureau of Customs (BOC) said Monday.
The BOC-Water Patrol Division spotted motor vessel (MV) “Amiesha” with its cargo covered with tarpaulin. The agency said in a statement that during an inspection, the boat crew members failed to present legal documents for its shipment to authorities, prompting the confiscation of its load.
However, the BOC did not disclose when the smuggled products were seized.
The 499 master cases of allegedly smuggled cigarettes, according to the bureau, were confiscated in violation of the Customs Modernization and Tariff Act of 2016.
It was BOC Port of Davao Collector Erastus Austria who issued the warrant for the confiscation and impoundment of the cigarettes. — Denver Godezano, trainee
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