Customs destroys P50-M worth of smuggled cigarettes at Zamboanga Port

Operatives of the Bureau of Customs-Port of Zamboanga on Tuesday destroyed some P50 million worth of smuggled cigarettes seized in separate operations carried out since December 2020.

In a statement, the BOC said its operatives, together with representatives from different partner agencies, destroyed more than 1,278 master cases and 513 reams of cigarettes.

Photo: BOC

“The seized cigarettes were crushed by payloader equipment in an outdoor yard, soaked with used oil to prevent recycling, dispersed with water by firemen, and disposed of in the sanitary landfill in Brgy. Salaan,” the BOC said.

The destruction and disposal of cigarettes is reported to be the first condemnation activity of the port this year.

The condemnation ceremony was witnessed by the local government unit, heads of partner law enforcement agencies, a representative from the Commission on Audit, Department of Health and stakeholders. — Ma. Angelica Garcia/BM, GMA News