P15M worth of ‘smuggled’ cigarettes intercepted at Manila port—PCG

A shipment with P15.8 million worth of alleged smuggled cigarettes aboard a passenger-cargo vessel was intercepted at the Port of Manila, according to the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) on Friday.

In a statement, the PCG said 80 boxes of supposedly smuggled cigarettes were intercepted on M/V St. Michael the Archangel on February 27.

“The undeclared shipment, with an estimated market value of P15.8 million, was found after an inspection revealed it was not listed in the vessel’s cargo manifest,” the PCG said.

Authorities secured the cargo upon the vessel’s arrival at North Harbor, Manila.

The PCG said that on Wednesday, the shipment was opened in the presence of concerned government agencies and they confirmed that it contained 80 boxes of smuggled cigarettes.

In collaboration with partner agencies, the PCG said it remains committed to safeguarding the country’s waters from illegal activities.

“We continue to strengthen our maritime security operations and port security measures to prevent smuggling and protect the safety of our citizens during their voyages,” the PCG said. --VAL, GMA Integrated News