BOC intercepts P121M worth of smuggled cigarettes at Subic port

Customs intercepted four 40-footer containers from China and Hong Kong that were loaded with various cigarette brands worth P121 million that could have been smuggled into the local market. (Photo from BOC Port of Subic)

BSAN ANTONIO, ZAMBALES — Smuggled cigarettes amounting to P121 million were confiscated in the Subic Bay Freeport, the Bureau of Customs (BOC) reported on Saturday.

The BOC in Subic port said it seized four 40-footer containers from China and Hong Kong on Aug. 22 that were said to contain frozen cinnamon bread, frozen pineapple pocket bread, “Snake and Ladder” board games, “Dominos” board games, and rubber strips.

But an inspection showed that the container actually carried various cigarette brands.

“Adopting and catching up to the modus operandi of unscrupulous stakeholders played a big role in this apprehension for this is the first time that the BOC has seized cigarettes concealed in a refrigerated container van,” BOC Port of Subic District Collector Maritess Martin said in a statement.

An assigned customs examiner was still checking if there were other items concealed in the said shipments, she said.

Following the incident, a warrant of seizure and detention of the shipments would be issued while appropriate criminal charges against the smugglers would be readied.

“This serves as a warning and reminder to all that BOC will not let up in its effort to protect the border,” said Martin.

JE