BOC raids Isabela warehouse, seizes machines allegedly used to make fake cigarettes

Operatives of the Bureau of Customs-Port of Aparri on Tuesday confiscated six machines allegedly used in manufacturing fake cigarettes in Isabela.

The interconnected machines and other items were found inside two trucks parked at a warehouse in Minante II in Cauayan City, the BOC said in a press release issued on Sunday.

The BOC personnel conducted the raid together with enforcement officers of NBI Cagayan and barangay officials.

The owner of the warehouse however denied owning the two trucks.

The BOC said the perpetrators have yet to be identified.

“Although the raiding team did not find any actual fake cigarette, the operation is still a successful one because it foiled a large scale attempt to produce fake cigarettes,” said Arienito Claveria, acting district collector of BOC-Port of Aparri.

In July, BOC personnel seized P2.6 million worth of fake cigarettes in Isabela.

Fake cigarettes were also confiscated last month in Manila (P36 million worth) and Bulacan (P15.7 million). —KG, GMA News