P30M worth of fake cigarettes, imported goods seized in Manila

The Bureau of Customs (BoC) has seized fake cigarette products and other imported goods from China estimated to be worth P30 million.

Intellectual Property Rights Division chief  Zsae Carrie de Guzman said the confiscated Marlboro, Winston and Fortune cigarettes, together with Knorr and Maggi food seasoning items and Nescafe products, were seized from a warehouse in Manila by virtue of a Letter of Authority issued by Customs Commissioner Ruffy Biazon.

Biazon said customs agents raided a warehouse in Manila following intelligence reports that the warehouse was being used to store fake imported items.

"Through the help of its assets from the private sector, the Bureau’s Intelligence Group has once again caused the seizure of these illegally imported goods,” Biazon said.

He added, “This definitely is a big boost to the local business industry. Otherwise, had these illegally imported goods been able to get to the local market, it could have affected the local tobacco industry and business.”

Reached for comment, deputy commissioner for intelligence group Danilo Lim told GMA News Online: "Ilang araw na naming binabantayan ang warehouse na 'yan sa Binondo. Pero kahapon namin nakuha ang mga 'yan."

The products were estimated to be worth P30 million, but the BOC did not have estimates on the equivalent quantity of seized products, Lim said.

While the BOC has indications on what goods are fake, the commission also calls on representatives from brand owners to check the apprehended goods.

"Pag may nahuli at duda kami, tinatawag namin ang representatives ng brands, sila 'yung nagse-certify na fake yung products," Lim said.

"May inidcations din kami. Compared sa tunay, ang filter ng fake cigarettes ay mas maiksi at di siksik. Yung laman na tobacco, mukhang may halong saw dust. Sa kape naman, yung packaging ay plastic," he added.

Lim said "we should expect" the increase of fake cigarettes after President Benigno Aquino III signed into law last December the controversial Sin Tax Reform bill, which seeks to increase excise taxes on alcohol and tobacco products.

"May mga nahuli na din kami before, in fact last week meron. We should expect that, para makaiwas din tayo. Mas lalong nagbabantay ang Customs para maiwasan ang pagkalugi ng tobacco industry at ng iba pang businesses," Lim said. — Danessa Rivera/KBK, GMA News