MICP condemns P70-M worth of seized cigarettes

The Bureau of Customs (BOC) said it destroyed P70 million worth of cigarettes seized at the Manila International Container Port (MICP).

In a statement on Saturday, the BOC said the condemnation of two 40-feet containers of seized cigarettes is part of the Customs’ initiatives “to protect the nation from the proliferation of fake and illegal cigarettes.”

The condemnation was enjoined and supervised by a composite team which included officers from the MICP Customs Intelligence and Investigation Service (CIIS), Enforcement and Security Service (ESS), and Auction and Cargo Disposal Division (ACDD).

The condemnation was conducted this October at the GREENLEAF Waste Disposal Facility located in Porac, Pampanga and was completed through shredding of the cigarettes to ensure that no further use can be gained from it.

The cigarettes were part of the seized shipment by MICP officials with an estimated value of P70 Million.

The shipment violated Section 117 in relation to Section 1113 of Republic Act (RA) No. 10863 otherwise known as the Customs Modernization and Tariff Act (CMTA), as well as other relevant guidelines set by the National Tobacco Administration (NTA) and Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) regulations, according to the BOC.

MICP District Collector Romeo Allan Rosales reiterated the port’s commitment to protect the public from the entry of illegal substances, which pose a great risk to the health of the Filipinos.

Rosales also assured that the port shall continue to dispose of seized shipments so that the same would not accumulate in Customs facilities.

“This is part of BOC Commissioner Rey Leonardo B. Guerrero’s directive to decongest BOC facilities, promote trade facilitation and preservation of general health and safety among Port users and importers,” he said. — DVM, GMA News