The Bureau of Customs (BOC) seized boxes of suspected smuggled cigarettes worth over P25 million after three joint operations in Sultan Kudarat and Lake Sebu, as seen in a photo from BOC on February 7, 2024. Photo from BOC Port of Davao.
MANILA, Philippines — Over P25 million worth of allegedly smuggled cigarettes and marine equipment were seized by government agents following a series of joint operations in Mindanao, the Bureau of Customs (BOC) Port of Davao said on Wednesday.
In a statement, the BOC reported that on December 3 of last year, they confiscated 22,700 reams of what they suspect were smuggled cigarettes valued at P17,025,000 in Sultan Kudarat.
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A motorized boat marked as “M/B Queen Johara,” estimated to be worth P500,000, was also seized during the same operation.
Another joint operation took place on January 6, also in Sultan Kudarat, where Customs authorities intercepted 14,000 reams of assorted cigarettes, amounting to an estimated P7 million.
In the same operation, the BOC confiscated another motorized boat marked as “M/B Al-Amanah,” estimated to be worth P700,000.
According to the BOC, the boats were used to ferry the forfeited goods.
A few days later on January 10, Customs officials seized 215 reams of suspected smuggled cigarettes worth P107,000 in Lake Sebu.
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“The individuals involved have gone through inquest proceedings, while the seized items are securely stored pending seizure and forfeiture proceedings,” the BOC said.
The joint operations were headed by BOC Port of Davao in collaboration with the Philippine Navy, Lake Sebu Municipal Police Station, and other government security agencies.
In a report in April 2023, Rep. Jericho Nograles said that the government loses about P26 billion in taxes every year due to the proliferation of smuggled cigarettes crossing the country’s borders.