BOC-POZ intercepts P4.4 million worth of undocumented cigarettes. / Photos from the Bureau of Customs
MANILA, Philippines— The Bureau of Customs Port of Zamboanga (BOC-POZ) seized 126 master cases of undocumented cigarettes worth P4.4 million from a motorized wooden motorcraft in Brgy. Recodo, Zamboanga City.
The bureau reported on Wednesday that the illegal cigarettes were intercepted on May 5 during a seaborne patrol operation conducted by the BOC-POZ Enforcement and Security Service — Water Patrol Division in partnership with Philippine National Police (PNP) personnel in its 2nd Zamboanga City Mobile Force Company.
The motorized vessel was allegedly on its way to Zamboanga City from Jolo, Sulu. However, “no documents were presented to prove the regularity of prior importation of the smuggled cigarettes and their transport to Zamboanga City,” according to the BOC.
“The master cases of cigarettes were seized pursuant to Section 1113 in relation to Section 117 of R.A. 10863, or the Customs Modernization and Tariff Act (CMTA) of 2016, and Executive Order Number 245 entitled ‘Amended Rules and Regulations Governing the Exportation and Importation of Leaf Tobacco and Tobacco Products,'” explained the bureau in its statement.
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