Customs seizes P107M worth of smuggled cigarettes at Port of Davao

Operatives of the Bureau of Customs(BOC)-Port of Davao have seized four 40-foot containers of illegally imported cigarettes valued at P107,414,676.74 through continuous coordination with the agency’s Intelligence Group (IG) and Enforcement Group (EG).

In a statement on Tuesday, the BOC said intelligence reports revealed that the first two containers which arrived at the Davao International Container Terminal (DICT) on July 10 were said to contain 2,180 boxes of brand-new tissue papers.

However, it said that subsequent derogatory information was received from IG and EG that led to the issuance of a Pre-Lodgment Control Order (PLCO) after discovering that no goods declaration was lodged by consignee Golden Aark Enterprises and there was a possible misdeclaration of the said commodity.

Authorities then conducted non-intrusive inspection and 100% physical examination that yielded misdeclaration of goods as 1,205 boxes Astro Branded Cigarettes and 942 boxes of YS filter cigarettes, which resulted in the apprehension last July 14.

The BOC said two more containers arrived at the same terminal on July 12 declaring 1,940 boxes of the same commodity.

Authorities then conducted X-ray inspection and 100% examination that revealed 942 boxes of YS filter cigarettes and 941 Fort Branded Cigarettes which were also apprehended last July 16 at the DICT.

The Customs said the previous apprehensions revealed that the offenders are trying to outsmart the system by not declaring the shipment’s details in the e-manifest – a system by which the BOC determines the cargo’s details and its intended port of destination.

However, intensified intelligence gathering revealed that the intended destination of these shipments was Davao; to which Customs has sole jurisdiction in conducting examination, the BOC said.

“In the midst of the pandemic, Customs Davao shall ensure that its border security protocols, and coordination with partner agencies remain steadfast in securing the borders of Mindanao” Customs Davao District Collector Erastus Sandino Austria said.

The BOC said Austria issued a Warrant of Seizure and Detention (WSD) to these illicit articles in violation of Executive Order No.245 or the “Amended Rules and Regulations Governing the Exportation and Importation of Leaf Tobacco and Tobacco Products,” Graphic Health Warnings (GHW) Law or Republic Act 10643, also known as “An Act to Effectively Instill Health Consciousness through Graphic Health Warning on Tobacco Products,” and Section 117 of RA 10863 or the Customs Modernization and Tariff Act .

Likewise, the BOC said the sub-port Dadiangas in General Santos City also apprehended 1,325 boxes of smuggled cigarettes from Vietnam valued at more than P24 million last June 3.

“Customs Davao shall continue its intensified campaign against the smuggling of these illegally imported goods into the country led by its District Collector, Atty. Austria, partner regulating agencies and Commissioner Rey Leonardo Guerrero’s priority programs steering BOC to international standards in revenue collection, border protection and trade facilitation,” it said. -MDM/RSJ, GMA News