BOC seizes P30M-worth of smuggled cigarettes from China in Misamis Oriental

Photo courtesy of BOC

MANILA, Philippines — The Bureau of Customs (BOC) has confiscated undeclared boxes of cigarettes valued at P30 million in Misamis Oriental.

BOC-Port of Cagayan de Oro said in a statement that the shipment, which came from China and arrived at the Mindanao Container Terminal in Tagoloan, Misamis Oriental, last May 20, was a subject of an alert order as the Customs Intelligence and Investigation Service received “derogatory information” about the goods.

The shipment was declared to contain “public effects” (for personal use).

On Friday, however, BOC’s Enforcement Security Service’s partial examination of the cargo led to their discovery of the cigarettes together with some footwear inside boxes.

Photo courtesy of BOC

A warrant of seizure and detention was subsequently issued against the shipment.

BOC said the items were consigned to a certain Lorna Oftana from General Santos City, who is now under formal investigation for alleged violation of Republic Act 10863, otherwise known as Customs Modernization and Tariff Act.

KGA