Customs seizes P38-M smuggled cigarettes

The Bureau of Customs reported Sunday it has seized P38 million worth of smuggled cigarettes at the Manila International Container Port (MICP).

According to the BOC, some 1,090 master cases of cigarettes were seized on Friday, June 11.

In a news release, the BOC said the shipment was consigned to Green Natura Alliance Ventures, and was subjected to 100% physical examination by the Formal Entry Division (FED), with members of the Enforcement and Security Service (ESS) and Customs Intelligence and Investigation Service (CIIS).

A warrant was issued for violation of the Customs Modernization and Tariff Act (CMTA) and the National Tobacco Authority (NTA).

The BOC is mandated to assess and collect customs revenues from imported goods and exercise border control to prevent the entry of smuggled goods.

In May, the agency collected P49.334 billion or P3.058 billion higher than its target of P46.276B. —Jon Viktor D. Cabuenas/LBG, GMA News