P10 million worth of smuggled cigarettes seized in Bataan

The Bureau of Customs (BOC) on Wednesday said it seized some P10 million worth of smuggled cigarettes in a joint buy-bust operation in Orion, Bataan earlier this week.

In a statement, the Bureau said the June 6 operation was led by BOC-Limay, Enforcement Security Services (ESS), Customs Intelligence and Investigation Service (CIIS), Philippine National Police (PNP) and Philippine Coast Guard- K9 Unit (PCG).

Armed with a letter of authority (LOA) issued by Commissioner Rey Leonardo Guerrero, the team raided a store and a resort in Barangay San Vicente.

During the inspection, the authorities found 487 master cases of smuggled cigarettes with an estimated value of P10 million.

The Bureau said the subject cigarettes were secured by the ESS personnel and brought to the BOC Office for safekeeping.

“The alleged involved personalities will be subjected to investigation and will be referred to BATAS for case build-up and possible prosecution, particularly the owner/possessor of the store and resort for violation of Section 1401of RA 10863 or the Customs Modernization and Tariff Act (CMTA),” it added. — Mel Matthew Doctor/BM, GMA News