Smuggled cigarettes worth over P1 million seized in Sorsogon

Operatives from the Bureau of Customs and Philippine Coast Guard seize on Monday, April 17, 2023, more than P1 million worth of smuggled cigarettes at Matnog Port in Sorsogon province. Photo from BOC

MANILA, Philippines — Sixteen boxes of allegedly smuggled cigarettes worth more than P1 million have been confiscated at Matnog Port in Sorsogon, the Bureau of Customs (BOC) reported Thursday.

The BOC in Port of Legazpi and the Philippine Coast Guard in Sorsogon conducted an anti-smuggling operation at the port on Monday and recovered the cigarettes, according to the bureau.

The BOC said the 16 boxes contain 758 reams of cigarettes with an estimated value of P1,061,200.

“The smuggled cigarettes were being transported in an Urvan Shuttle from Ongpin, Manila, to Cebu City without legal documents and revenue seals,” it noted.

It added that the smuggling of cigarettes violates Sections 117 and 1113 of Republic Act No. 10863, the Customs Modernization and Tariff Act and Republic Act No. 8424, or the National Internal Revenue Code of the Philippines.

“We remain vigilant in our fight against smuggling and will continue to implement strict measures to prevent the entry of smuggled goods into the country. The recent seizure of these smuggled cigarettes is a testament to our unwavering commitment to curb smuggling and collect lawful revenue for the government,” BOC Commissioner Bienvenido Rubio said.

BOC Collector Segundo Sigmundfreud Barte Jr., meanwhile, said that the “BOC’s Border Patrol team will continue to strictly enforce our customs laws and regulations, in accordance with one of the five-point agendas of Commissioner Rubio: to curb smuggling in the country and collect lawful revenue.” —Maria Liezl Projella, trainee

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