Charges to be filed against accused in smuggling of Marlboro cigarettes

Marlboro cigarettes. AP FILE PHOTO

MANILA, Philippines  – A complaint for smuggling is set to be filed with the Department of Justice in connection with the illegal importation of Marlboro cigarettes worth P18 million at the Manila International Container Port (MICP) last October.

“It would definitely lead to the filing of charges against the consignee and the importer, including the broker, it’s automatic,” MICP District Collector Elmir dela Cruz said over the weekend.

The Bureau of Customs (BoC) has identified Transocean Export Sales based in Intramuros, Manila as the consignee of the shipment.

A warrant of seizure and detention has been issued against the shipment that arrived from China last Oct. 29. The consignee, on the other hand was automatically placed under the Customs’ blacklist of importers and can no longer transact with the bureau.

Representatives from the Philip-Morris International, the maker of Marlboro cigarettes have reportedly took samples of the seized items to determine whether it was a fake or a genuine product.