BoC seizes P115.6-M illicit cigarettes

THE Bureau of Customs (BoC) said it seized P115.6 million worth of illicit cigarettes at the Port of Cebu in violation of the Customs Modernization and Tariff Act.

In a statement on Sunday, the agency said it intercepted two container vans suspected of carrying illicit cigarettes, prompting a physical examination of a 40-footer and a 20-footer container van.

The inspection yielded around 1,445 master cases of assorted illicit cigarettes, consisting of 466 master cases of Modern brand cigarettes and 979 master cases of Nise Baisha brand cigarettes.

Each master case contained 10,000 cigarette sticks, bringing the estimated street value of the shipment to P115.6 million.

“We will continue to strengthen intelligence-driven operations and enhance coordination with partner agencies to keep illicit goods out of our ports,” said BoC Commissioner Ariel F. Nepomuceno.

“Our commitment to protecting our borders with vigilance, integrity, and resolve remains firm,” he added.

In a separate release, the BoC reported that it intercepted 200 pieces of signature pod for vape devices from a South Korean traveler at the Mactan-Cebu International Airport.

“The luggage of a passenger from South Korea was recommended for examination after an X-ray inspector detected suspicious images during screening,” it said.

“A customs examiner then conducted a physical inspection, with the traveler’s consent, leading to the discovery of 200 pieces of signature pods for vape devices valued at over P66,000,” it added.

The items were also not declared in the traveler’s electronic Customs Baggage Declaration form.

“Customs regulations are in place to protect our borders and ensure that regulated goods entering the country comply with Philippine laws,” said Port of Cebu District Collector Alexandra Yap-Lumontad.

“We remind all travelers to truthfully declare their goods and secure the necessary permits and clearances,” she added.

In the agency’s January-to-April report, it said that it had 523 operations which led to the seizure of P9.53 billion worth smuggled products and filing of nine criminal cases.

In terms of estimated value, the top seized commodities were cigarettes and tobacco, which accounted for 167 operations worth P3.29 billion.

It was followed by dangerous drugs (P3.1 billion), e-cigarettes or vapes (P1.48 billion), cosmetics (P707 million), and agricultural products (P271 million). — Justine Irish D. Tabile